Kinase inhibitor compounds

ABSTRACT

Pyridine and pyridazine derivatives have unexpected drug properties as inhibitors of protein kinases and are useful in treating disorders related to abnormal protein kinase activities such as cancer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the U.S. National Stage application under 35 U.S.C. §371 of Patent Cooperation Treaty Patent Application No. PCT/US2008/000694, filed Jan. 18, 2008, which claims benefit of U.S. Application Ser. Nos. 60/881,791 and 60/881,792, both filed Jan. 19, 2007. The contents of each of these applications are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to novel pyridine and pyridazine derivatives, their salts, solvates, hydrates and polymorphs thereof. The invention also provides compositions comprising a compound of this invention and the use of such compositions in methods of treating diseases and conditions associated with protein kinase modulation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Protein kinases are enzymes that catalyze the phosphorylation of hydroxyl groups of tyrosine, serine, and threonine residues of proteins. Many aspects of cell life (for example, cell growth, differentiation, proliferation, cell cycle and survival) depend on protein kinase activities. Furthermore, abnormal protein kinase activity has been related to a host of disorders such as cancer and inflammation. Therefore, considerable effort has been directed to identifying ways to modulate protein kinase activities. In particular, many attempts have been made to identify small molecules that act as protein kinase inhibitors.

The c-Met proto-oncogene encodes the Met receptor tyrosine kinase. The Met receptor is a 190 kDa glycosylated dimeric complex composed of a 50 kDa alpha chain disulfide-linked to a 145 kDa beta chain. The alpha chain is found extracellularly while the beta chain contains transmembrane and cytosolic domains. Met is synthesized as a precursor and is proteolytically cleaved to yield mature alpha and beta subunits. It displays structural similarities to semaphorins and plexins, a ligand-receptor family that is involved in cell-cell interaction. The ligand for Met is hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), a member of the scatter factor family and has some homology to plasminogen [Longati, P. et al., Curr. Drug Targets 2001, 2, 41-55); Trusolino, L. and Comoglio, P. Nature Rev. Cancer 2002, 2, 289-300].

Met functions in tumorigenesis and tumor metastasis. Expression of Met along with its ligand HGF is transforming, tumorigenic, and metastatic (Jeffers, M. et al., Oncogene 1996, 13, 853-856; Michieli, P. et al., Oncogene 1999, 18, 5221-5231). MET is overexpressed in a significant percentage of human cancers and is amplified during the transition between primary tumors and metastasis. Numerous studies have correlated the expression of c-MET and/or HGF/SF with the state of disease progression of different types of cancer (including lung, colon, breast, prostate, liver, pancreas, brain, kidney, ovaries, stomach, skin, and bone cancers). Furthermore, the overexpression of c-MET or HGF have been shown to correlate with poor prognosis and disease outcome in a number of major human cancers including lung, liver, gastric, and breast. c-MET has also been directly implicated in cancers without a successful treatment regimen such as pancreatic cancer, glioma, and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Met mutants exhibiting enhanced kinase activity have been identified in both hereditary and sporadic forms of papillary renal carcinoma (Schmidt, L. et al., Nat. Genet. 1997, 16, 68-73; Jeffers, M. et al., Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 1997, 94, 11445-11500). HGF/Met has been shown to inhibit anoikis, suspension-induced programmed cell death (apoptosis), in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells. Anoikis resistance or anchorage-independent survival is a hallmark of oncogenic transformation of epithelial cells (Zeng, Q. et al., J. Biol. Chem. 2002, 277, 25203-25208).

Increased expression of Met/HGF is seen in many metastatic tumors including colon (Fazekas, K. et al., Clin. Exp. Metastasis 2000, 18, 639-649), breast (Elliott, B. E. et al., 2002, Can. J. Physiol. Pharmacol. 80, 91-102), prostate (Knudsen, B. S. et al., Urology 2002, 60, 1113-1117), lung (Siegfried, J. M. et al., Ann. Thorac. Surg. 1998, 66, 1915-1918), and gastric (Amemiya, H. et al., Oncology 2002, 63, 286-296). HGF-Met signaling has also been associated with increased risk of atherosclerosis (Yamamoto, Y. et al., J. Hypertens. 2001, 19, 1975-1979; Morishita, R. et al., Endocr. J. 2002, 49, 273-284) and increased fibrosis of the lung (Crestani, B. et al., Lab. Invest. 2002, 82, 1015-1022).

2-amino-pyridines, such as PF-2341066, have been reported as potent inhibitors of the HGF receptor tyrosine kinase (c-Met) (J. G. Christensen, et al. Abstract LB-271, AACR 2006 meeting; H. Y. Zou et al. Cancer Res 2007; 67: 4408; patent disclosures: WO 2004076412, WO 2006021881, WO 2006021886).

As there is still unmet need in treatment options for kinase mediated disease, it is desirable to create new and alternative approaches to addressing treatment and prevention of disease, disorders, or symptoms thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to pyridine and pyridazine derivative compounds, compositions comprising the compounds, and methods of using the compounds and compound compositions. The compounds and compositions comprising them are useful for treating or preventing disease or disease symptoms, including those mediated by or associated with protein kinase modulation activity.

The present invention solves the problems set forth above by providing an isolated compound of Formula I or II:

or a salt thereof; or a prodrug, or a salt of a prodrug thereof; or a hydrate, solvate, or polymorph thereof; wherein:

-   -   R₁ is arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl, each optionally substituted         with 1-4 independent Z¹;     -   R₂ is aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, or amide, each optionally         substituted with 1-4 independent Z²;     -   R₃ is hydrogen, hydroxyl, alkoxy, or alkylamino;     -   R₄ is hydrogen or CH₃;     -   R₅ is hydrogen, NH₂, or CH₃;     -   Each Z¹ and Z² is independently halogen, CN, NO₂, OR¹⁵, SR¹⁵,         S(O)₂OR¹⁵, NR¹⁵R¹⁶, C₁-C₂ perfluoroalkyl, C₁-C₂ perfluoroalkoxy,         1,2-methylenedioxy, C(O)OR¹⁵, C(O)NR¹⁵R¹⁶, OC(O)NR¹⁵R¹⁶,         NR¹⁵C(O)NR¹⁵R¹⁶, C(NR¹⁶)NR¹⁵R¹⁶, NR¹⁵C(NR¹⁶)NR¹⁵R¹⁶,         S(O)₂NR¹⁵R¹⁶, R¹⁷, C(O)R¹⁷, NR¹⁵C(O)R¹⁷, S(O)R¹⁷, S(O)₂R¹⁷, R¹⁶,         oxo, C(O)R¹⁶, C(O)(CH₂)nOH, (CH₂)nOR¹⁵, (CH₂)nC(O)NR¹⁵R¹⁶,         NR¹⁵S(O)₂R¹⁷, where n is independently 0-6 inclusive;     -   Each R¹⁵ is independently hydrogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl or C₃-C₆         cycloalkyl;     -   Each R¹⁶ is independently hydrogen, alkenyl, alkynyl, C₃-C₆         cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl, C₁-C₄ alkyl or C₁-C₄         alkyl substituted with C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl or         heteroaryl;     -   Each R¹⁷ is independently C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl,         heteroaryl, C₁-C₄ alkyl or C₁-C₄ alkyl substituted with C₃-C₆         cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl or heteroaryl; and     -   X is N or CR₅.

The compounds of this invention, and compositions comprising them, are useful for treating or lessening the severity of protein kinase modulated diseases, disorders, or symptoms thereof, i.e., disorders effectively treated by inhibitors of protein kinases, e.g., c-met and ron.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a method of treating a disease or disease symptom in a subject in need thereof including administering to the subject an effective amount of a compound of any formulae herein, or pharmaceutical salt, solvate or hydrate thereof (or composition thereof). The disease or disease symptom can be any of those modulated by a protein kinase (e.g., c-met, ron). The disease or disease symptom can be, for example, cancer or proliferation disease or disorder (e.g., including those delineated herein).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Definitions

The terms “ameliorate” and “treat” are used interchangeably and both mean decrease, suppress, attenuate, diminish, arrest, or stabilize the development or progression of a disease (e.g., a disease or disorder delineated herein).

By “disease” is meant any condition or disorder that damages or interferes with the normal function of a cell, tissue, or organ.

By “marker” is meant any alteration that is associated with a disease or disorder. For example, any protein or polynucleotide having an alteration in expression level or activity that is associated with a disease or disorder.

In this disclosure, “comprises,” “comprising,” “containing” and “having” and the like can have the meaning ascribed to them in U.S. Patent law and can mean “includes,” “including,” and the like; “consisting essentially of” or “consists essentially” likewise has the meaning ascribed in U.S. Patent law and the term is open-ended, allowing for the presence of more than that which is recited so long as basic or novel characteristics of that which is recited is not changed by the presence of more than that which is recited, but excludes prior art embodiments.

The term “compound” as used herein, is also intended to include salts, prodrugs, and prodrug salts of a compound of formulae herein. The term also includes any solvates, hydrates, and polymorphs of any of the foregoing. The specific recitation of “prodrug,” “prodrug salt,” “solvate,” “hydrate,” or “polymorph” in certain aspects of the invention described in this application shall not be interpreted as an intended omission of these forms in other aspects of the invention where the term “compound” is used without recitation of these other forms.

A salt of a compound of this invention is formed between an acid and a basic group of the compound, such as an amino functional group, or a base and an acidic group of the compound, such as a carboxyl functional group. According to another preferred embodiment, the compound is a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt.

As used herein and unless otherwise indicated, the term “prodrug” means a derivative of a compound that can hydrolyze, oxidize, or otherwise react under biological conditions (in vitro or in vivo) to provide a compound of this invention. Prodrugs may only become active upon such reaction under biological conditions, or they may have activity in their unreacted forms. Examples of prodrugs contemplated in this invention include, but are not limited to, analogs or derivatives of compounds of any one of the formulae disclosed herein that comprise biohydrolyzable moieties such as amides, esters, carbamates, carbonates, and phosphate analogues. Prodrugs can typically be prepared using well-known methods, such as those described by Burger's Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Discovery (1995) 172-178, 949-982 (Manfred E. Wolff ed., 5th ed); see also Goodman and Gilman's, The Pharmacological basis of Therapeutics, 8th ed., McGraw-Hill, Int. Ed. 1992, “Biotransformation of Drugs”.

As used herein and unless otherwise indicated, the term “biohydrolyzable moiety” means a functional group (e.g., amide, ester, carbamate, carbonate, or phosphate analogue, that either: 1) does not destroy the biological activity of the compound and confers upon that compound advantageous properties in vivo, such as uptake, duration of action, or onset of action; or 2) is itself biologically inactive but is converted in vivo to a biologically active compound.

A prodrug salt is a compound formed between an acid and a basic group of the prodrug, such as an amino functional group, or a base and an acidic group of the prodrug, such as a carboxyl functional group. In a one embodiment, the prodrug salt is a pharmaceutically acceptable salt.

Particularly favored prodrugs and prodrug salts are those that increase the bioavailability of the compounds of this invention when such compounds are administered to a mammal (e.g., by allowing an orally administered compound to be more readily absorbed into the blood) or which enhance delivery of the parent compound to a biological compartment (e.g., the brain or central nervous system) relative to the parent species. Preferred prodrugs include derivatives where a group that enhances aqueous solubility or active transport through the gut membrane is appended to the structure of formulae described herein. See, e.g., Alexander, J. et al. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 1988, 31, 318-322; Bundgaard, H. Design of Prodrugs; Elsevier: Amsterdam, 1985; pp 1-92; Bundgaard, H.; Nielsen, N. M. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 1987, 30, 451-454; Bundgaard, H. A Textbook of Drug Design and Development; Harwood Academic Publ.: Switzerland, 1991; pp 113-191; Digenis, G. A. et al. Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology 1975, 28, 86-112; Friis, G. J.; Bundgaard, H. A Textbook of Drug Design and Development; 2 ed.; Overseas Publ.: Amsterdam, 1996; pp 351-385; Pitman, I. H. Medicinal Research Reviews 1981, 1, 189-214.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable,” as used herein, refers to a component that is, within the scope of sound medical judgment, suitable for use in contact with the tissues of humans and other mammals without undue toxicity, irritation, allergic response and the like, and are commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio. A “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” means any non-toxic salt that, upon administration to a recipient, is capable of providing, either directly or indirectly, a compound or a prodrug of a compound of this invention.

Acids commonly employed to form pharmaceutically acceptable salts include inorganic acids such as hydrogen bisulfide, hydrochloric, hydrobromic, hydroiodic, sulfuric and phosphoric acid, as well as organic acids such as para-toluenesulfonic, salicylic, tartaric, bitartaric, ascorbic, maleic, besylic, fumaric, gluconic, glucuronic, formic, glutamic, methanesulfonic, ethanesulfonic, benzenesulfonic, lactic, oxalic, para-bromophenylsulfonic, carbonic, succinic, citric, benzoic and acetic acid, and related inorganic and organic acids. Such pharmaceutically acceptable salts thus include sulfate, pyrosulfate, bisulfate, sulfite, bisulfite, phosphate, monohydrogenphosphate, dihydrogenphosphate, metaphosphate, pyrophosphate, chloride, bromide, iodide, acetate, propionate, decanoate, caprylate, acrylate, formate, isobutyrate, caprate, heptanoate, propiolate, oxalate, malonate, succinate, suberate, sebacate, fumarate, maleate, butyne-1,4-dioate, hexyne-1,6-dioate, benzoate, chlorobenzoate, methylbenzoate, dinitrobenzoate, hydroxybenzoate, methoxybenzoate, phthalate, terephthalate, sulfonate, xylenesulfonate, phenylacetate, phenylpropionate, phenylbutyrate, citrate, lactate, β-hydroxybutyrate, glycolate, maleate, tartrate, methanesulfonate, propanesulfonate, naphthalene-1-sulfonate, naphthalene-2-sulfonate, mandelate and the like salts. Preferred pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts include those formed with mineral acids such as hydrochloric acid and hydrobromic acid, and especially those formed with organic acids such as maleic acid.

Suitable bases for forming pharmaceutically acceptable salts with acidic functional groups of prodrugs of this invention include, but are not limited to, hydroxides of alkali metals such as sodium, potassium, and lithium; hydroxides of alkaline earth metal such as calcium and magnesium; hydroxides of other metals, such as aluminum and zinc; ammonia, and organic amines, such as unsubstituted or hydroxy-substituted mono-, di-, or trialkylamines; dicyclohexylamine; tributyl amine; pyridine; N-methyl, N-ethylamine; diethylamine; triethylamine; mono-, bis-, or tris-(2-hydroxy-lower alkyl amines), such as mono-, bis-, or tris-(2-hydroxyethyl)amine, 2-hydroxy-tert-butylamine, or tris-(hydroxymethyl)methylamine, N,N,-di-lower alkyl-N-(hydroxy lower alkyl)-amines, such as N,N-dimethyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)amine, or tri-(2-hydroxyethyl)amine; N-methyl-D-glucamine; and amino acids such as arginine, lysine, and the like.

As used herein, the term “hydrate” means a compound which further includes a stoichiometric or non-stoichiometric amount of water bound by non-covalent intermolecular forces.

As used herein, the term “solvate” means a compound which further includes a stoichiometric or non-stoichiometric amount of solvent such as water, acetone, ethanol, methanol, dichloromethane, 2-propanol, or the like, bound by non-covalent intermolecular forces.

As used herein, the term “polymorph” means solid crystalline forms of a compound or complex thereof which may be characterized by physical means such as, for instance, X-ray powder diffraction patterns or infrared spectroscopy. Different polymorphs of the same compound can exhibit different physical, chemical and/or spectroscopic properties. Different physical properties include, but are not limited to stability (e.g., to heat, light or moisture), compressibility and density (important in formulation and product manufacturing), hygroscopicity, solubility, and dissolution rates (which can affect bioavailability). Differences in stability can result from changes in chemical reactivity (e.g., differential oxidation, such that a dosage form discolors more rapidly when comprised of one polymorph than when comprised of another polymorph) or mechanical characteristics (e.g., tablets crumble on storage as a kinetically favored polymorph converts to thermodynamically more stable polymorph) or both (e.g., tablets of one polymorph are more susceptible to breakdown at high humidity). Different physical properties of polymorphs can affect their processing. For example, one polymorph might be more likely to form solvates or might be more difficult to filter or wash free of impurities than another due to, for example, the shape or size distribution of particles of it.

The term “substantially free of other stereoisomers” as used herein means less than 25% of other stereoisomers, preferably less than 10% of other stereoisomers, more preferably less than 5% of other stereoisomers and most preferably less than 2% of other stereoisomers, or less than “X”% of other stereoisomers (wherein X is a number between 0 and 100, inclusive) are present. Methods of obtaining or synthesizing diastereomers are well known in the art and may be applied as practicable to final compounds or to starting material or intermediates. Other embodiments are those wherein the compound is an isolated compound. The term “at least X % enantiomerically enriched” as used herein means that at least X % of the compound is a single enantiomeric form, wherein X is a number between 0 and 100, inclusive.

The term “stable compounds”, as used herein, refers to compounds which possess stability sufficient to allow manufacture and which maintain the integrity of the compound for a sufficient period of time to be useful for the purposes detailed herein (e.g., formulation into therapeutic products, intermediates for use in production of therapeutic compounds, isolatable or storable intermediate compounds, treating a disease or condition responsive to therapeutic agents).

“Stereoisomer” refers to both enantiomers and diastereomers.

As used herein, the term “halo” or “halogen” refers to any radical of fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine.

The terms “alk” or “alkyl” refer to straight or branched chain hydrocarbon groups having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 8 carbon atoms. The expression “lower alkyl” refers to alkyl groups of 1 to 4 carbon atoms (inclusive). The term “arylalkyl” refers to a moiety in which an alkyl hydrogen atom is replaced by an aryl group. The term “alkenyl” refers to straight or branched chain hydrocarbon groups of 2 to 10, preferably 2 to 4, carbon atoms having at least one double bond. Where an alkenyl group is bonded to a nitrogen atom, it is preferred that such group not be bonded directly through a carbon bearing a double bond.

The term “alkoxy” refers to an —O-alkyl radical. The term “alkylenedioxo” refers to a divalent species of the structure —O—R—O—, in which R represents an alkylene.

The term “alkynyl” refers to straight or branched chain hydrocarbon groups of 2 to 10, preferably 2 to 4, carbon atoms having at least one triple bond. Where an alkynyl group is bonded to a nitrogen atom, it is preferred that such group not be bonded directly through a carbon bearing a triple bond.

The term “alkylene” refers to a divalent straight chain bridge of 1 to 5 carbon atoms connected by single bonds (e.g., —(CH₂)_(x)—, wherein x is 1 to 5), which may be substituted with 1 to 3 lower alkyl groups.

The term “alkenylene” refers to a straight chain bridge of 2 to 5 carbon atoms having one or two double bonds that is connected by single bonds and may be substituted with 1 to 3 lower alkyl groups. Exemplary alkenylene groups are —CH═CH—CH═CH—, —CH₂—CH═CH—, —CH₂—CH═CH—CH₂—, —C(CH₃)₂CH═CH— and —CH(C₂H₅)—CH═CH—.

The term “alkynylene” refers to a straight chain bridge of 2 to 5 carbon atoms that has a triple bond therein, is connected by single bonds, and may be substituted with 1 to 3 lower alkyl groups. Exemplary alkynylene groups are —C≡C—, —CH₂—C≡C—, —CH(CH₃)C≡C— and —C≡C—CH(C₂H₅)CH₂—.

The terms “cycloalkyl” and “cycloalkenyl” as employed herein includes saturated and partially unsaturated cyclic, respectively, hydrocarbon groups having 3 to 12 carbons, preferably 3 to 8 carbons, and more preferably 3 to 6 carbon.

The terms “Ar” or “aryl” refer to aromatic cyclic groups (for example 6 membered monocyclic, 10 membered bicyclic or 14 membered tricyclic ring systems) which contain 6 to 14 carbon atoms. Exemplary aryl groups include phenyl, naphthyl, biphenyl and anthracene.

Heteroaryl” refers to a monocyclic or fused ring (i.e., rings which share an adjacent pair of atoms) group of 5 to 12 ring atoms containing one, two, three or four ring heteroatoms selected from N, O, or S, the remaining ring atoms being C, and, in addition, having a completely conjugated pi-electron system, wherein 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 atoms of each ring may be substituted by a substituent. Examples, without limitation, of heteroaryl groups are pyrrole, furan, thiophene, imidazole, oxazole, thiazole, pyrazole, pyridine, pyrimidine, quinoline, quinazoline, isoquinoline, purine and carbazole.

The terms “heterocycle”, “heterocyclic” or “heterocyclo” refer to fully saturated or partially unsaturated cyclic groups, for example, 3 to 7 membered monocyclic, 7 to 12 membered bicyclic, or 10 to 15 membered tricyclic ring systems, which have at least one heteroatom in at least one ring, wherein 0, 1, 2 or 3 atoms of each ring may be substituted by a substituent. Each ring of the heterocyclic group containing a heteroatom may have 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms selected from nitrogen atoms, oxygen atoms and/or sulfur atoms, where the nitrogen and sulfur heteroatoms may optionally be oxidized and the nitrogen heteroatoms may optionally be quaternized. The heterocyclic group may be attached at any heteroatom or carbon atom of the ring or ring system.

The term “heterocyclyl” refers to fully saturated or partially unsaturated cyclic groups, for example, 3 to 7 membered monocyclic, 7 to 12 membered bicyclic, or 10 to 15 membered tricyclic ring systems, which have at least one heteroatom in at least one ring, wherein 0, 1, 2 or 3 atoms of each ring may be substituted by a substituent. Each ring of the heterocyclyl group containing a heteroatom may have 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms selected from nitrogen atoms, oxygen atoms and/or sulfur atoms, where the nitrogen and sulfur heteroatoms may optionally be oxidized and the nitrogen heteroatoms may optionally be quaternized. The heterocyclyl group may be attached at any heteroatom or carbon atom of the ring or ring system.

The term “substituents” refers to a group “substituted” on any functional group delineated herein, e.g., alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl, heterocyclyl, or heteroaryl group at any atom of that group. Suitable substituents include, without limitation halogen, CN, NO₂, OR¹⁵, SR¹⁵, S(O)₂OR¹⁵, NR¹⁵R¹⁶, C₁-C₂ perfluoroalkyl, C₁-C₂ perfluoroalkoxy, 1,2-methylenedioxy, C(O)OR¹⁵, C(O)NR¹⁵R¹⁶, OC(O)NR¹⁵R¹⁶, NR¹⁵C(O)NR¹⁵R¹⁶, C(NR¹⁶)NR¹⁵R¹⁶, NR¹⁵C(NR¹⁶)NR¹⁵R¹⁶, S(O)₂NR¹⁵R¹⁶, R¹⁷, C(O)R¹⁷, NR¹⁵C(O)R¹⁷, S(O)R¹⁷, S(O)₂R¹⁷, R¹⁶, oxo, C(O)R¹⁶, C(O)(CH₂)nOH, (CH₂)nOR¹⁵, (CH₂)nC(O)NR¹⁵R¹⁶, NR¹⁵S(O)₂R¹⁷, where n is independently 0-6 inclusive. Each R¹⁵ is independently hydrogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl or C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl. Each R¹⁶ is independently hydrogen, alkenyl, alkynyl, C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl, C₁-C₄ alkyl or C₁-C₄ alkyl substituted with C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl or heteroaryl. Each R¹⁷ is independently C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl, C₁-C₄ alkyl or C₁-C₄ alkyl substituted with C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl or heteroaryl. Each C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl and C₁-C₄ alkyl in each R¹⁵, R¹⁶ and R¹⁷ can optionally be substituted with halogen, CN, C₁-C₄ alkyl, OH, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, NH₂, C₁-C₄ alkylamino, C₁-C₄ dialkylamino, C₁-C₂ perfluoroalkyl, C₁-C₂ perfluoroalkoxy, or 1,2-methylenedioxy.

The term “oxo” refers to an oxygen atom, which forms a carbonyl when attached to carbon, an N-oxide when attached to nitrogen, and a sulfoxide or sulfone when attached to sulfur.

The term “acyl” refers to an alkylcarbonyl, cycloalkylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, heterocyclylcarbonyl, or heteroarylcarbonyl substituent, any of which may be further substituted by substituents.

The recitation of a listing of chemical groups in any definition of a variable herein includes definitions of that variable as any single group or combination of listed groups. The recitation of an embodiment for a variable herein includes that embodiment as any single embodiment or in combination with any other embodiments or portions thereof.

The compounds of this invention may contain one or more asymmetric centers and thus occur as racemates and racemic mixtures, single enantiomers, individual diastereomers and diastereomeric mixtures. All such isomeric forms of these compounds are expressly included in the present invention. The compounds of this invention may also be represented in multiple tautomeric forms, in such instances, the invention expressly includes all tautomeric forms of the compounds described herein. All such isomeric forms of such compounds are expressly included in the present invention. All crystal forms of the compounds described herein are expressly included in the present invention.

The present invention provides a compound of Formula I or II:

or a salt thereof; or a prodrug, or a salt of a prodrug thereof; or a hydrate, solvate, or polymorph thereof; wherein:

-   -   R₁ is arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl, each optionally substituted         with 1-4 independent Z¹;     -   R₂ is aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl or amide, each optionally         substituted with 1-4 independent Z²;     -   R₃ is hydrogen, hydroxyl, alkoxy, or alkylamino;     -   R₄ is hydrogen or CH₃;     -   R₅ is hydrogen, NH₂, or CH₃;     -   Each Z¹ and Z² is independently halogen, CN, NO₂, OR¹⁵, SR¹⁵,         S(O)₂OR¹⁵, NR¹⁵R¹⁶, C₁-C₂ perfluoroalkyl, C₁-C₂ perfluoroalkoxy,         1,2-methylenedioxy, C(O)OR¹⁵, C(O)NR¹⁵R¹⁶, OC(O)NR¹⁵R¹⁶,         NR¹⁵C(O)NR¹⁵R¹⁶, C(NR¹⁶)NR¹⁵R¹⁶, NR¹⁵C(NR¹⁶)NR¹⁵R¹⁶,         S(O)₂NR¹⁵R¹⁶, R¹⁷, C(O)R¹⁷, NR¹⁵(O)R¹⁷, S(O)R¹⁷, S(O)₂R¹⁷, R¹⁶,         oxo, C(O)R¹⁶, C(O)(CH₂)nOH, (CH₂)nOR¹⁵, (CH₂)nC(O)NR¹⁵R¹⁶,         NR¹⁵S(O)₂R¹⁷, where n is independently 0-6 inclusive;     -   Each R¹⁵ is independently hydrogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl or C₃-C₆         cycloalkyl;     -   Each R¹⁶ is independently hydrogen, alkenyl, alkynyl, C₃-C₆         cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl, C₁-C₄ alkyl or C₁-C₄         alkyl substituted with C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl or         heteroaryl;     -   Each R¹⁷ is independently C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl,         heteroaryl, C₁-C₄ alkyl or C₁-C₄ alkyl substituted with C₃-C₆         cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl or heteroaryl; and     -   X is N or CR₅.

In another aspect, the compound is an isolated compound of Formula III:

or a salt thereof; or a prodrug, or a salt of a prodrug thereof; or a hydrate, solvate, or polymorph thereof; wherein:

-   -   R₁ is optionally substituted arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl;     -   R₂ is optionally substituted aryl or heteroaryl; and     -   R₃ is hydrogen, hydroxyl, alkoxy, or alkylamino.

In another aspect, the compound is an isolated compound of Formula (IIIc), having variables as defined in Formula (III):

In another aspect, the compound is an isolated compound of Formula IV:

or a salt thereof; or a prodrug, or a salt of a prodrug thereof; or a hydrate, solvate, or polymorph thereof; wherein:

-   -   R₁ is optionally substituted arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl;     -   R₂ is optionally substituted aryl or heteroaryl;     -   R₃ is hydrogen, hydroxyl, alkoxy, alkylamino; and     -   R₄ is NH₂.

In another aspect, the compound is an isolated compound of Formula (IVc), having variables as defined in Formula (IV):

In another aspect, the compound is an isolated compound of any of the formulae herein (e.g., Formula I or II), wherein R₁ is optionally substituted aryl(C₁₋₃)alkyl or heteroaryl(C₁₋₃)alkyl.

In one aspect, the compounds are of any of the formulae herein, wherein R₁ is arylalkyl.

In one aspect, the compounds are of any of the formulae herein, wherein R₁ is substituted arylalkyl.

In one aspect, the compounds are of any of the formulae herein, wherein R₁ is a trihalo-substituted arylalkyl.

In one aspect, the compounds are of any of the formulae herein, wherein R₁ is 1-(2,6-dichloro-3-fluorophenyl)-ethyl.

In one aspect, the compounds are of Formula (Ia) or (IIa), having variables as defined in Formula (I) or (II):

In one aspect, the compounds are of any of the formulae herein, wherein R₂ is optionally substituted aryl; in another aspect the aryl is phenyl.

In one aspect, the compounds are of any of the formulae herein, wherein R₂ is amide optionally substituted with 1-2 independent Z².

In one aspect, the compounds are of any of the formulae herein, wherein R₂ is heterocycle optionally substituted with 1-4 independent Z².

In one aspect, the compounds are of any of the formulae herein, wherein R₂ is heterocyclylcarbonyl-substituted aryl; in another aspect the aryl is phenyl. In another aspect, the aforementioned heterocyclylcarbonyl is optionally substituted. In another aspect, the aforementioned heterocyclylcarbonyl is morpholinyl, pyranyl, piperazinyl, or piperidinyl.

In one aspect, the compounds are of any of the formulae herein, wherein R₂ is optionally substituted heteroaryl; in another aspect the heteroaryl is pyrazolyl, pyridinyl, or pyrimidinyl.

In one aspect, the compounds are of any of the formulae herein, wherein R₂ is heterocyclyl-substituted heteroaryl; in another aspect the heteroaryl is pyrazolyl, pyridinyl, or pyrimidinyl.

In one aspect, the compounds are of any of the formulae herein, wherein R₃ is H.

In one aspect, the compound is a compound of Table 1.

In one aspect, the compound is a compound of Table 2.

Representative compounds of the invention are depicted in Table 1 and Table 2. In these examples the stereochemistry at the chiral carbon atoms is independently either RS, R, or S. The structures depicted herein, including the Table 1 structures, may contain certain —NH—, —NH₂ (amino) and —OH (hydroxyl) groups where the corresponding hydrogen atom(s) do not explicitly appear; however they are to be read as —NH—, —NH₂ or —OH as the case may be. In certain structures, a stick bond is drawn and is meant to depict a methyl group.

TABLE 1 A1

A2

A3

A4

A5

A6

TABLE 2 A1

A2

A3

A4

A5

A6

Representative compounds of the invention are listed below:

-   (4-{6-Amino-5-[1-(2,6-dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-pyridazin-3-yl}-phenyl)-morpholin-4-yl-methanone; -   (4-{6-Amino-5-[1-(2,6-dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-pyridazin-3-yl}-phenyl)-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl-methanone; -   (4-{6-Amino-5-[1-(2,6-dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-pyridazin-3-yl}-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-methanone; -   4-{6-Amino-5-[1-(2,6-dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-pyridazin-3-yl}-N-(2-diethylamino-ethyl)-benzamide; -   4-{6-Amino-5-[1-(2,6-dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-pyridazin-3-yl}-N,N-dimethyl-benzamide; -   (4-{6-Amino-5-[1-(2,6-dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-pyridazin-3-yl}-phenyl)-(4-morpholin-4-yl-piperidin-1-yl)-methanone; -   4-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-pyrimidin-5-yl-pyridazin-3-ylamine; -   4-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-[1-(tetrahydro-pyran-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl]-pyridazin-3-ylamine; -   4-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-(1-piperidin-4-yl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-pyridazin-3-ylamine; -   3-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-2-methyl-5-(1-piperidin-4-yl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-pyridine; -   4-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-(6-morpholin-4-yl-pyridin-3-yl)-pyridazin-3-ylamine; -   4-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-[6-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-pyridin-3-yl]-pyridazin-3-ylamine; -   4-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-[4-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl]-pyridazin-3-ylamine; -   (4-{5-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-methyl-pyridin-3-yl}-phenyl)-morpholin-4-yl-methanone; -   (4-{5-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-methyl-pyridin-3-yl}-phenyl)-(4-morpholin-4-yl-piperidin-1-yl)-methanone; -   (4-{5-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-methyl-pyridin-3-yl}-phenyl)-(4-pyrrolidin-1-yl-piperidin-1-yl)-methanone     hydrogen chloride; -   (4-{5-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-methyl-pyridin-3-yl}-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-methanone     hydrogen chloride; -   [1,4]Diazepan-1-yl-(4-{5-[1-(2,6-dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-methyl-pyridin-3-yl}-phenyl)-methanone; -   3-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-2-methyl-5-[1-(tetrahydro-pyran-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl]-pyridine; -   5-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-methyl-6′-morpholin-4-yl-[3,3′]bipyridinyl; -   3-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-2-methyl-5-[1-(tetrahydro-furan-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl]-pyridine; -   2-(4-{5-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-methyl-pyridin-3-yl}-pyrazol-1-yl)-ethanol; -   3-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-5-[1-(2-methoxy-ethyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl]-2-methyl-pyridine; -   5′-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6′-methyl-[3,3]bipyridinyl-5-carboxylic     acid dimethylamide; -   3-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-2-methyl-5-[1-(tetrahydro-pyran-4-ylmethyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl]-pyridine; -   5-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-methyl-2′-morpholin-4-yl-[3,4′]bipyridinyl; -   2-(4-{5-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-methyl-pyridin-3-yl}-pyrazol-1-yl)-N,N-dimethyl-acetamide; -   5-{5-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-methyl-pyridin-3-yl}-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one; -   3-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-5-{1-[1-(2-methoxy-ethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}-2-methyl-pyridine; -   2-[4-(4-{5-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-methyl-pyridin-3-yl}-pyrazol-1-yl)-piperidin-1-yl]-ethanol; -   4-(4-{5-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-methyl-pyridin-3-yl}-pyrazol-1-yl)-piperidine-1-carboxylic     acid dimethylamide; -   1-[4-(4-{5-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-methyl-pyridin-3-yl}-pyrazol-1-yl)-piperidin-1-yl]-2-hydroxy-ethanone; -   4-{5-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-methyl-pyridin-3-yl}-pyrazole-1-carboxylic     acid dimethylamide; -   2-(4-{5-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-methyl-pyridin-3-yl}-pyrazol-1-yl)-2-methyl-propan-1-ol; -   4-(4-{5-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-methyl-pyridin-3-yl}-pyrazol-1-yl)-pyrimidine; -   2-(4-{5-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-methyl-pyridin-3-yl}-pyrazol-1-yl)-pyrimidine; -   5-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-methyl-3′,6′-dihydro-2′H-[3,4]bipyridinyl-1′-carboxylic     acid dimethylamide; -   {5-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-methyl-3′,6′-dihydro-2′H-[3,4]bipyridinyl-1′-yl}-morpholin-4-yl-methanone; -   6-Amino-5-[1-(2,6-dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-pyridazine-3-carboxylic     acid pyridin-4-yl amide; -   6-Amino-5-[1-(2,6-dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-pyridazine-3-carboxylic     acid methylamide; -   6-Amino-5-[1-(2,6-dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-pyridazine-3-carboxylic     acid (tetrahydro-pyran-4-yl)-amide; -   6-Amino-5-[1-(2,6-dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-pyridazine-3-carboxylic     acid pyridin-3-ylamide; -   6-Amino-5-[1-(2,6-dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-pyridazine-3-carboxylic     acid pyrimidin-5-ylamide.

The synthesis of compounds of the formulae herein (e.g., Formula I and II) can be readily effected by synthetic chemists of ordinary skill. Relevant procedures and intermediates are disclosed, for instance, herein. Each of the patents, patent applications, and publications, whether in traditional journals or available only through the internet, referred to herein, is incorporated in its entirety by reference.

Other approaches to synthesizing compounds of the formulae herein (e.g., Formula I or II) can readily be adapted from references cited herein. Variations of these procedures and their optimization are within the skill of the ordinary practitioner.

The specific approaches and compounds shown above are not intended to be limiting. The chemical structures in the schemes herein depict variables that are hereby defined commensurately with chemical group definitions (moieties, atoms, etc.) of the corresponding position in the compound formulae herein, whether identified by the same variable name (e.g., R¹, R², R, R′, X, etc.) or not. The suitability of a chemical group in a compound structure for use in synthesis of another compound structure is within the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art. Additional methods of synthesizing compounds of the formulae herein (e.g., Formula I or II) and their synthetic precursors, including those within routes not explicitly shown in schemes herein, are within the means of chemists of ordinary skill in the art. Methods for optimizing reaction conditions, if necessary minimizing competing by-products, are known in the art. The methods described herein may also additionally include steps, either before or after the steps described specifically herein, to add or remove suitable protecting groups in order to ultimately allow synthesis of the compounds herein. In addition, various synthetic steps may be performed in an alternate sequence or order to give the desired compounds. Synthetic chemistry transformations and protecting group methodologies (protection and deprotection) useful in synthesizing the applicable compounds are known in the art and include, for example, those described in R. Larock, Comprehensive Organic Transformations, VCH Publishers (1989); T. W. Greene and P. G. M. Wuts, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, 3^(rd) Ed., John Wiley and Sons (1999); L. Fieser and M. Fieser, Fieser and Fieser's Reagents for Organic Synthesis, John Wiley and Sons (1994); and L. Paquette, ed., Encyclopedia of Reagents for Organic Synthesis, John Wiley and Sons (1995) and subsequent editions thereof.

The synthetic methods described herein may also additionally include steps, either before or after any of the steps described in any scheme, to add or remove suitable protecting groups in order to ultimately allow synthesis of the compound of the formulae described herein. The methods delineated herein contemplate converting compounds of one formula to compounds of another formula. The process of converting refers to one or more chemical transformations, which can be performed in situ, or with isolation of intermediate compounds. The transformations can include reacting the starting compounds or intermediates with additional reagents using techniques and protocols known in the art, including those in the references cited herein. Intermediates can be used with or without purification (e.g., filtration, distillation, sublimation, crystallization, trituration, solid phase extraction, and chromatography).

Combinations of substituents and variables envisioned by this invention are only those that result in the formation of stable compounds.

The invention also provides compositions comprising an effective amount of a compound of any of the formulae herein (e.g., Formula I or II), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, polymorph or prodrug, if applicable, of said compound; and an acceptable carrier. Preferably, a composition of this invention is formulated for pharmaceutical use (“a pharmaceutical composition”), wherein the carrier is a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The carrier(s) must be “acceptable” in the sense of being compatible with the other ingredients of the formulation and, in the case of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, not deleterious to the recipient thereof in amounts typically used in medicaments.

Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, adjuvants and vehicles that may be used in the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention include, but are not limited to, ion exchangers, alumina, aluminum stearate, lecithin, serum proteins, such as human serum albumin, buffer substances such as phosphates, glycine, sorbic acid, potassium sorbate, partial glyceride mixtures of saturated vegetable fatty acids, water, salts or electrolytes, such as protamine sulfate, disodium hydrogen phosphate, potassium hydrogen phosphate, sodium chloride, zinc salts, colloidal silica, magnesium trisilicate, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, cellulose-based substances, polyethylene glycol, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, polyacrylates, waxes, polyethylene-polyoxypropylene-block polymers, polyethylene glycol and wool fat.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention include those suitable for oral, rectal, nasal, topical (including buccal and sublingual), vaginal or parenteral (including subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous and intradermal) administration. In certain embodiments, the compound of the formulae herein is administered transdermally (e.g., using a transdermal patch). Other formulations may conveniently be presented in unit dosage form, e.g., tablets and sustained release capsules, and in liposomes, and may be prepared by any methods well known in the art of pharmacy. See, for example, Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Company, Philadelphia, Pa. (17th ed. 1985).

Such preparative methods include the step of bringing into association with the molecule to be administered ingredients such as the carrier that constitutes one or more accessory ingredients. In general, the compositions are prepared by uniformly and intimately bringing into association the active ingredients with liquid carriers, liposomes or finely divided solid carriers or both, and then if necessary shaping the product.

In certain preferred embodiments, the compound is administered orally. Compositions of the present invention suitable for oral administration may be presented as discrete units such as capsules, sachets or tablets each containing a predetermined amount of the active ingredient; as a powder or granules; as a solution or a suspension in an aqueous liquid or a non-aqueous liquid; or as an oil-in-water liquid emulsion or a water-in-oil liquid emulsion, or packed in liposomes and as a bolus, etc. Soft gelatin capsules can be useful for containing such suspensions, which may beneficially increase the rate of compound absorption.

A tablet may be made by compression or molding, optionally with one or more accessory ingredients. Compressed tablets may be prepared by compressing in a suitable machine the active ingredient in a free-flowing form such as a powder or granules, optionally mixed with a binder, lubricant, inert diluent, preservative, surface-active or dispersing agent. Molded tablets may be made by molding in a suitable machine a mixture of the powdered compound moistened with an inert liquid diluent. The tablets optionally may be coated or scored and may be formulated so as to provide slow or controlled release of the active ingredient therein. Methods of formulating such slow or controlled release compositions of pharmaceutically active ingredients, such as those herein and other compounds known in the art, are known in the art and described in several issued US patents, some of which include, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,369,172; and 4,842,866, and references cited therein. Coatings can be used for delivery of compounds to the intestine (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,638,534, 5,217,720, and 6,569,457, 6,461,631, 6,528,080, 6,800,663, and references cited therein). A useful formulation for the compounds of this invention is the form of enteric pellets of which the enteric layer comprises hydroxypropylmethylcellulose acetate succinate.

In the case of tablets for oral use, carriers that are commonly used include lactose and corn starch. Lubricating agents, such as magnesium stearate, are also typically added. For oral administration in a capsule form, useful diluents include lactose and dried cornstarch. When aqueous suspensions are administered orally, the active ingredient is combined with emulsifying and suspending agents. If desired, certain sweetening and/or flavoring and/or coloring agents may be added.

Compositions suitable for topical administration include lozenges comprising the ingredients in a flavored basis, usually sucrose and acacia or tragacanth; and pastilles comprising the active ingredient in an inert basis such as gelatin and glycerin, or sucrose and acacia.

Compositions suitable for parenteral administration include aqueous and non-aqueous sterile injection solutions which may contain anti-oxidants, buffers, bacteriostats and solutes which render the formulation isotonic with the blood of the intended recipient; and aqueous and non-aqueous sterile suspensions which may include suspending agents and thickening agents. The formulations may be presented in unit-dose or multi-dose containers, for example, sealed ampules and vials, and may be stored in a freeze dried (lyophilized) condition requiring only the addition of the sterile liquid carrier, for example water for injections, immediately prior to use. Extemporaneous injection solutions and suspensions may be prepared from sterile powders, granules and tablets.

Such injection solutions may be in the form, for example, of a sterile injectable aqueous or oleaginous suspension. This suspension may be formulated according to techniques known in the art using suitable dispersing or wetting agents (such as, for example, Tween 80) and suspending agents. The sterile injectable preparation may also be a sterile injectable solution or suspension in a non-toxic parenterally-acceptable diluent or solvent, for example, as a solution in 1,3-butanediol. Among the acceptable vehicles and solvents that may be employed are mannitol, water, Ringer's solution and isotonic sodium chloride solution. In addition, sterile, fixed oils are conventionally employed as a solvent or suspending medium. For this purpose, any bland fixed oil may be employed including synthetic mono- or diglycerides. Fatty acids, such as oleic acid and its glyceride derivatives are useful in the preparation of injectables, as are natural pharmaceutically-acceptable oils, such as olive oil or castor oil, especially in their polyoxyethylated versions. These oil solutions or suspensions may also contain a long-chain alcohol diluent or dispersant.

The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may be administered in the form of suppositories for rectal administration. These compositions can be prepared by mixing a compound of this invention with a suitable non-irritating excipient which is solid at room temperature but liquid at the rectal temperature and therefore will melt in the rectum to release the active components. Such materials include, but are not limited to, cocoa butter, beeswax and polyethylene glycols.

The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may be administered by nasal aerosol or inhalation. Such compositions are prepared according to techniques well-known in the art of pharmaceutical formulation and may be prepared as solutions in saline, employing benzyl alcohol or other suitable preservatives, absorption promoters to enhance bioavailability, fluorocarbons, and/or other solubilizing or dispersing agents known in the art.

Topical administration of the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention is especially useful when the desired treatment involves areas or organs readily accessible by topical application. For application topically to the skin, the pharmaceutical composition should be formulated with a suitable ointment containing the active components suspended or dissolved in a carrier. Carriers for topical administration of the compounds of this invention include, but are not limited to, mineral oil, liquid petroleum, white petroleum, propylene glycol, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene compound, emulsifying wax and water. Alternatively, the pharmaceutical composition can be formulated with a suitable lotion or cream containing the active compound suspended or dissolved in a carrier. Suitable carriers include, but are not limited to, mineral oil, sorbitan monostearate, polysorbate 60, cetyl esters wax, cetearyl alcohol, 2-octyldodecanol, benzyl alcohol and water. The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may also be topically applied to the lower intestinal tract by rectal suppository formulation or in a suitable enema formulation. Topically-transdermal patches and iontophoretic administration are also included in this invention.

Particularly favored derivatives and prodrugs are those that increase the bioavailability of the compounds of this invention when such compounds are administered to a mammal (e.g., by allowing an orally administered compound to be more readily absorbed into the blood) or which enhance delivery of the parent compound to a biological compartment (e.g., the brain or central nervous system) relative to the parent species. Preferred prodrugs include derivatives where a group that enhances aqueous solubility or active transport through the gut membrane is appended to the structure of formulae described herein. See, e.g., Alexander, J. et al. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 1988, 31, 318-322; Bundgaard, H. Design of Prodrugs; Elsevier: Amsterdam, 1985; pp 1-92; Bundgaard, H.; Nielsen, N. M. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 1987, 30, 451-454; Bundgaard, H. A Textbook of Drug Design and Development; Harwood Academic Publ.: Switzerland, 1991; pp 113-191; Digenis, G. A. et al. Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology 1975, 28, 86-112; Friis, G. J.; Bundgaard, H. A Textbook of Drug Design and Development; 2 ed.; Overseas Publ.: Amsterdam, 1996; pp 351-385; Pitman, I. H. Medicinal Research Reviews 1981, 1, 189-214.

Application of the subject therapeutics may be local, so as to be administered at the site of interest. Various techniques can be used for providing the subject compositions at the site of interest, such as injection, use of catheters, trocars, projectiles, pluronic gel, stents, sustained drug release polymers or other device which provides for internal access.

According to another embodiment, the invention provides a method of impregnating an implantable drug release device comprising the step of contacting said drug release device with a compound or composition of this invention. Implantable drug release devices include, but are not limited to, biodegradable polymer capsules or bullets, non-degradable, diffusible polymer capsules and biodegradable polymer wafers.

According to another embodiment, the invention provides an implantable medical device coated with a compound or a composition comprising a compound of this invention, such that said compound is therapeutically active.

In another embodiment, a composition of the present invention further comprises a second therapeutic agent. The second therapeutic agent includes any compound or therapeutic agent known to have or that demonstrates advantageous properties when administered alone or with a compound of any of the formulae herein. Drugs that could be usefully combined with these compounds include other kinase inhibitors and/or other chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of the diseases and disorders discussed above.

Such agents are described in detail in the art. Preferably, the second therapeutic agent is an agent useful in the treatment or prevention of a disease or condition selected from cancer.

Even more preferably the second therapeutic agent co-formulated with a compound of this invention is an agent useful in the treatment of c-met or ron-mediated disease/disorders.

In another embodiment, the invention provides separate dosage forms of a compound of this invention and a second therapeutic agent that are associated with one another. The term “associated with one another” as used herein means that the separate dosage forms are packaged together or otherwise attached to one another such that it is readily apparent that the separate dosage forms are intended to be sold and administered together (within less than 24 hours of one another, consecutively or simultaneously).

In the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention, the compound of the present invention is present in an effective amount. As used herein, the term “effective amount” refers to an amount which, when administered in a proper dosing regimen, is sufficient to reduce or ameliorate the severity, duration or progression of the disorder being treated, prevent the advancement of the disorder being treated, cause the regression of the disorder being treated, or enhance or improve the prophylactic or therapeutic effect(s) of another therapy.

The interrelationship of dosages for animals and humans (based on milligrams per meter squared of body surface) is described in Freireich et al., (1966) Cancer Chemother Rep 50: 219. Body surface area may be approximately determined from height and weight of the patient. See, e.g., Scientific Tables, Geigy Pharmaceuticals, Ardley, N.Y., 1970, 537. An effective amount of a compound of this invention can range from about 0.001 mg/kg to about 500 mg/kg, more preferably 0.01 mg/kg to about 50 mg/kg, more preferably 0.1 mg/kg to about 2.5 mg/kg. Effective doses will also vary, as recognized by those skilled in the art, depending on the diseases treated, the severity of the disease, the route of administration, the sex, age and general health condition of the patient, excipient usage, the possibility of co-usage with other therapeutic treatments such as use of other agents and the judgment of the treating physician.

For pharmaceutical compositions that comprise a second therapeutic agent, an effective amount of the second therapeutic agent is between about 20% and 100% of the dosage normally utilized in a monotherapy regime using just that agent. Preferably, an effective amount is between about 70% and 100% of the normal monotherapeutic dose. The normal monotherapeutic dosages of these second therapeutic agents are well known in the art. See, e.g., Wells et al., eds., Pharmacotherapy Handbook, 2nd Edition, Appleton and Lange, Stamford, Conn. (2000); PDR Pharmacopoeia, Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia 2000, Deluxe Edition, Tarascon Publishing, Loma Linda, Calif. (2000), each of which references are entirely incorporated herein by reference.

It is expected that some of the second therapeutic agents referenced above will act synergistically with the compounds of this invention. When this occurs, its will allow the effective dosage of the second therapeutic agent and/or the compound of this invention to be reduced from that required in a monotherapy. This has the advantage of minimizing toxic side effects of either the second therapeutic agent of a compound of this invention, synergistic improvements in efficacy, improved ease of administration or use and/or reduced overall expense of compound preparation or formulation.

Methods of Treatment

According to another embodiment, the invention provides a method of treating a subject suffering from or susceptible to a disease or disorder or symptom thereof (e.g., those delineated herein) comprising the step of administering to said subject an effective amount of a compound or a composition of this invention. Such diseases are well known in the art and are also disclosed herein.

In one aspect, the method of treating involves treatment of a disorder that is mediated by the protein kinase, e.g., c-met, ron.

In a one embodiment, the method of this invention is used to treat a subject suffering from or susceptible to a disease or condition. Such diseases, disorders or symptoms thereof include, for example, those modulated by a protein kinase (e.g., c-met, ron). The disease or disease symptom can be, for example, cancer or proliferation disease or disorder. The disease or disease symptom can be lung, colon, breast, prostate, liver, pancreas, brain, kidney, ovaries, stomach, skin, and bone cancers, gastric, breast, pancreatic cancer, glioma, and hepatocellular carcinoma, papillary renal carcinoma, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Methods delineated herein include those wherein the subject is identified as in need of a particular stated treatment. Identifying a subject in need of such treatment can be in the judgment of a subject or a health care professional and can be subjective (e.g. opinion) or objective (e.g. measurable by a test or diagnostic method).

In another embodiment, the invention provides a method of modulating the activity of a protein kinase, (e.g. protein tyrosine kinase, kinases listed herein) in a cell comprising contacting a cell with one or more compounds of any of the formulae herein.

In another embodiment, the above method of treatment comprises the further step of co-administering to said patient one or more second therapeutic agents. The choice of second therapeutic agent may be made from any second therapeutic agent known to be useful for indications herein. Additional therapeutic agents include but are not limited to agents for treatment of diseases, disorders or symptoms thereof including for example, anticancer agents, antiproliferative agents, antineoplastic agents, antitumor agents, antimetabolite-type/thymidilate synthase inhibitor antineoplastic agents, alkylating-type antineoplastic agents, antibiotic-type antineoplastic agents, or, any other agent typically administered as a primary or adjuvant agent in cancer treatment protocols (e.g., antinausea, antianemia, etc.), including for example, vinblastine sulfate, vincristine, vindesine, vinestramide, vinorelbine, vintriptol, vinzolidine, tamoxifen, toremifen, raloxifene, droloxifene, iodoxyfene, megestrol acetate, anastrozole, letrazole, borazole, exemestane, flutamide, nilutamide, bicalutamide, cyproterone acetate, goserelin acetate, luprolide, finasteride, herceptin, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil, cytosine arabinoside, doxorubicin, daunomycin, epirubicin, idarubicin, mitomycin-C, dactinomycin, mithramycin, cisplatin, carboplatin, melphalan, chlorambucil, busulphan, cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, nitrosoureas, thiotephan, vincristine, taxol, taxotere, etoposide, teniposide, amsacrine, irinotecan, topotecan, an epothilone, Iressa, Avastin, OSI-774, angiogenesis inhibitors, EGF inhibitors, MEK inhibitors, VEGF inhibitors, CDK inhibitors, Her1 and Her2 inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies.

The term “co-administered” as used herein means that the second therapeutic agent may be administered together with a compound of this invention as part of a single dosage form (such as a composition of this invention comprising a compound of the invention and an second therapeutic agent as described above) or as separate, multiple dosage forms. Alternatively, the additional agent may be administered prior to, consecutively with, or following the administration of a compound of this invention. In such combination therapy treatment, both the compounds of this invention and the second therapeutic agent(s) are administered by conventional methods. The administration of a composition of this invention comprising both a compound of the invention and a second therapeutic agent to a subject does not preclude the separate administration of that same therapeutic agent, any other second therapeutic agent or any compound of this invention to said subject at another time during a course of treatment.

Effective amounts of these second therapeutic agents are well known to those skilled in the art and guidance for dosing may be found in patents and published patent applications referenced herein, as well as in Wells et al., eds., Pharmacotherapy Handbook, 2nd Edition, Appleton and Lange, Stamford, Conn. (2000); PDR Pharmacopoeia, Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia 2000, Deluxe Edition, Tarascon Publishing, Loma Linda, Calif. (2000), and other medical texts. However, it is well within the skilled artisan's purview to determine the second therapeutic agent's optimal effective-amount range.

In one embodiment of the invention where a second therapeutic agent is administered to a subject, the effective amount of the compound of this invention is less than its effective amount would be where the second therapeutic agent is not administered. In another embodiment, the effective amount of the second therapeutic agent is less than its effective amount would be where the compound of this invention is not administered. In this way, undesired side effects associated with high doses of either agent may be minimized. Other potential advantages (including without limitation improved dosing regimens and/or reduced drug cost) will be apparent to those of skill in the art.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides the use of a compound of any of the formulae herein (e.g., Formula I or II) alone or together with one or more of the above-described second therapeutic agents in the manufacture of a medicament, either as a single composition or as separate dosage forms, for treatment or prevention in a subject of a disease, disorder or symptom set forth above. Another aspect of the invention is a compound of the formulae herein for use in the treatment or prevention in a subject of a disease, disorder or symptom thereof delineated herein.

In other aspects, the methods herein include those further comprising monitoring subject response to the treatment administrations. Such monitoring may include periodic sampling of subject tissue, fluids, specimens, cells, proteins, chemical markers, genetic materials, etc. as markers or indicators of the treatment regimen. In other methods, the subject is prescreened or identified as in need of such treatment by assessment for a relevant marker or indicator of suitability for such treatment.

In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of monitoring treatment progress. The method includes the step of determining a level of diagnostic marker (Marker) (e.g., any target or cell type delineated herein modulated by a compound herein) or diagnostic measurement (e.g., screen, assay) in a subject suffering from or susceptible to a disorder or symptoms thereof delineated herein, in which the subject has been administered a therapeutic amount of a compound herein sufficient to treat the disease or symptoms thereof. The level of Marker determined in the method can be compared to known levels of Marker in either healthy normal controls or in other afflicted patients to establish the subject's disease status. In preferred embodiments, a second level of Marker in the subject is determined at a time point later than the determination of the first level, and the two levels are compared to monitor the course of disease or the efficacy of the therapy. In certain preferred embodiments, a pre-treatment level of Marker in the subject is determined prior to beginning treatment according to this invention; this pre-treatment level of Marker can then be compared to the level of Marker in the subject after the treatment commences, to determine the efficacy of the treatment.

In certain method embodiments, a level of Marker or Marker activity in a subject is determined at least once. Comparison of Marker levels, e.g., to another measurement of Marker level obtained previously or subsequently from the same patient, another patient, or a normal subject, may be useful in determining whether therapy according to the invention is having the desired effect, and thereby permitting adjustment of dosage levels as appropriate. Determination of Marker levels may be performed using any suitable sampling/expression assay method known in the art or described herein. Preferably, a tissue or fluid sample is first removed from a subject. Examples of suitable samples include blood, urine, tissue, mouth or cheek cells, and hair samples containing roots. Other suitable samples would be known to the person skilled in the art. Determination of protein levels and/or mRNA levels (e.g., Marker levels) in the sample can be performed using any suitable technique known in the art, including, but not limited to, enzyme immunoassay, ELISA, radiolabelling/assay techniques, blotting/chemiluminescence methods, real-time PCR, and the like.

The present invention also provides kits for use to treat diseases, disorders, or symptoms thereof, including those delineated herein. These kits comprise: a) a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of any of the formula herein (e.g., Formula I or II) or a salt thereof; or a prodrug, or a salt of a prodrug thereof; or a hydrate, solvate, or polymorph thereof, wherein said pharmaceutical composition is in a container; and b) instructions describing a method of using the pharmaceutical composition to treat the disease, disorder, or symptoms thereof, including those delineated herein.

The container may be any vessel or other sealed or sealable apparatus that can hold said pharmaceutical composition. Examples include bottles, divided or multi-chambered holders bottles, wherein each division or chamber comprises a single dose of said composition, a divided foil packet wherein each division comprises a single dose of said composition, or a dispenser that dispenses single doses of said composition. The container can be in any conventional shape or form as known in the art which is made of a pharmaceutically acceptable material, for example a paper or cardboard box, a glass or plastic bottle or jar, a re-sealable bag (for example, to hold a “refill” of tablets for placement into a different container), or a blister pack with individual doses for pressing out of the pack according to a therapeutic schedule. The container employed can depend on the exact dosage form involved, for example a conventional cardboard box would not generally be used to hold a liquid suspension. It is feasible that more than one container can be used together in a single package to market a single dosage form. For example, tablets may be contained in a bottle, which is in turn contained within a box. Preferably, the container is a blister pack.

The kit may additionally comprising information and/or instructions for the physician, pharmacist or subject. Such memory aids include numbers printed on each chamber or division containing a dosage that corresponds with the days of the regimen which the tablets or capsules so specified should be ingested, or days of the week printed on each chamber or division, or a card which contains the same type of information.

The compounds delineated herein can be assessed for their biological activity using protocols known in the art, including for example, those delineated herein.

All references cited herein, whether in print, electronic, computer readable storage media or other form, are expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety, including but not limited to, abstracts, articles, journals, publications, texts, treatises, technical data sheets, internet web sites, databases, patents, patent applications, and patent publications.

EXAMPLES Synthesis of 6-Chloro-4-[1-(2,6-dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-pyridazin-3-ylamine (C)

Step 1: A suspension of C1 (2.0 g, 13.4 mmol) in 25% ammonium hydroxide (25 mL) was heated at 130° C. for 12 h in a sealed tube. After the tube was cooled to 0° C., the mixture was filtered. The resulting solid was washed with water for several times and dried under vacuo to provide C2 (1.43 g, 82%).

Step 2: To a solution of C2 (1.45 g, 11.2 mmol) in methanol (20 mL) was added NaHCO₃ (1.88 g, 22.4 mmol) at room temperature, followed by bromine (1.79 g, 11.2 mmol) drop-wise. After the addition was complete, the mixture was stirred for 20 h, then filtered and washed by methanol for several times. The filtrate was concentrated and the residue was dissolved in water (15 mL) and extracted with ethyl acetate (25 mL×3). The combined organic phase was washed with 10% sodium thiosulfate aq. (25 mL), sat. sodium bicarbonate aq. (20 mL) and brine (20 mL), dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography (EA:PE=2:1) to provide C3 (1.27 g, 55%).

Step 3: To a solution of C4 (10.0 g, 48.3 mmol) in methanol (100 mL) cooled to 0° C., was added NaBH₄ (4.4 g, 115.9 mmol) in portions. The resulting mixture was stirred at r.t. for about 1 h and evaporated. Water (10 mL) was added to the residue at 0° C., followed by 3N HCl until pH=6. The resulting mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (40 mL×4). The combined organic phase was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to give C5 (8.01 g, 79%).

Step 4: To a solution of C5 (4.0 g, 19.1 mmol) in THF (120 mL) was added 60% NaH (0.766 g, 19.1 mmol) at 0° C., the resulting mixture was stirred at that temperature for 30 min, was then added C3 (3.99 g, 19.1 mmol) quickly. The resulting mixture was heated under reflux overnight and evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography (PE:EA=4:1) to provide the advanced intermediate C (1.46 g, 23%).

Synthesis of 5-Bromo-3-[1-(2,6-dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-2-methyl-pyridine (D)

Step 1: A solution of mucobromic acid (1.3 kg, 5.03 mol) in ethanol (2.0 L) was slowly added to a solution of sodium nitrite (1.38 kg) in water (2.0 L) cooled with ice-bath. After the addition was complete, the resulting mixture was warmed to 60° C. for 30 min. The stirring was continued for additional 60 min without external heating. During this period, yellow precipitate appeared gradually. The reaction mixture was then placed at 0° C. overnight. The resulting solid was collected by filtration and dried to give compound D2 as a yellow solid (390 g, 56.1% yield).

Step 2: Compound D2 (416 g, 3.6 mol) and D3 (339 g, 2.6 mol) were added to a mixture of ethanol (1.9 L), water (1.9 L) and glacial acetic acid (240 mL). The resulting mixture was stirred at 50° C. overnight, then concentrated under vacuo. The residue was dissolved in DCM (5.0 L) and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated and the residue was purified by column chromatography (EA:PE=1:10) to provide compound D4 (165 g, 30% yield) as white solid. 1H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz): δ=1.23-1.26 (t, 3H), 2.25 (s, 3H), 4.14-4.21 (q, 2H), 8.91-8.92 (t, 1H), 9.37-9.38 (d, 1H). LC-MS [M+1]⁺: 210.2.

Step 3: A solution of compound D4 (300 g, 1.4 mol) was added to a mixture of conc. HCl acid (800 mL) and water (800 mL) at room temperature. The resulting mixture was heated under reflux for 1 h. After being cooled, the solution was diluted with water (2.0 L) and neutralized by the addition of solid sodium bicarbonate to pH=5.0. Precipitate appeared gradually during this course. After being cooled, the mixture was filtered. The resulting solid was dried to provide D5 (223 g, 85.7%) as brown solid. 1H NMR (DMSO-d6, 300 MHz): δ=2.84 (s, 3H), 8.74-8.75 (d, 1H), 9.35-9.36 (d, 1H), 13.90 (s, 1H). LC-MS [M−1]⁺: 180.9.

Step 4: Compound D5 (208 g, 1.15 mol) was dissolved in t-butanol (2.1 L), and thereto were added DPPA (370 mL) and TEA (223 mL). The mixture was heated under reflux overnight, quenched by the addition of brine (100 mL). The resulting mixture was extracted by EA (1.0 L) for three times. The combined organic phase was washed with brine (100 mL), dried over anhydrous MgSO4 and concentrated under vacuo. The residue was purified by column chromatography (EA:PE=1:2) to provide compound D6 (114.5 g, 40% yield) as yellow solid. 1H NMR (CDCl3, 300 MHz): δ=1.54 (s, 9H), 2.60 (s, 3H), 6.53 (s, 1H), 8.98-8.99 (d, 1H), 9.09-9.10 (d, 1H). LC-MS [M+1]⁺: 252.0.

Step 5: To the solution of D6 (200 mg, 0.79 mmol) in DCM (3 mL) was added TFA (2 mL). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 4 h and evaporated. The residue was dissolved in water (5 mL) and cooled to 0° C. To the above solution was added conc. H₂SO₄ (0.24 mL) drop-wise, followed by a solution of NaNO₂ (60 mg, 0.87 mmol) in water (1 mL). The mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 1 h and then heated under reflux for 1.5 h. After the reaction was complete, the mixture was added sat. NaHCO₃ aq. slowly until pH=2, extracted with DCM/methanol (10/1) (15 mL×3), dried over Na₂SO₄ and evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography (PE:EA=7:1) to give D8 (72 mg, 59%).

Step 6: To a stirred mixture of D8 (65.5 mg, 0.43 mmol) and A5 (81 mg, 0.39 mmol) in THF (5 mL), was added Ph₃P (152 mg, 0.58 mmol) under the protection of nitrogen. After being stirred at r.t. for 1 h, the mixture was added DIAD (117 mg, 0.58 mmol) at 0° C. The resulting mixture was stirred at r.t. for two days and evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography (PE:EA=20:1) to afford D9 (113 mg, 86%).

Step 7: Reductive iron powder (129 mg, 2.30 mmol) and 2N HCl (0.07 mL) were added to a stirred solution of D9 (113 mg, 0.33 mmol) in ethanol (3 mL) at 0° C. The resulting mixture was heated under reflux for 2 h and filtrated. The brown solid was washed with ethanol for several times. The combined ethanol phase was evaporated and the residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate (15 mL) and washed with 1.5N Na₂CO₃ aq. (20 mL). The bi-phase mixture was separated and the water phase was re-extracted with ethyl acetate (15 mL×3). The combined organic phase was dried over MgSO₄, filtered and evaporated to give D10 (103 mg, ca. 100%).

Step 8: To the mixture of D11 (222 mg, 0.70 mmol), cuprous bromide (126 mg, 0.88 mL) and copper bronze (4.5 mg, 0.07 mmol) in hydrobromic acid (13 mL) was added sodium nitrite (74 mg, 1.23 mmol) slowly at 0° C. After the addition was complete, the mixture was allowed to stir at 0° C. for 1 h then warmed to room temperature for 3 h. After the reaction was complete, the mixture was basified with 15% NaOH aq. until pH=7 and extracted with ethyl acetate (30 mL×3). The combined organic phase was dried over MgSO₄, concentrated and purified by column chromatography (PE:EA=20:1) to provide D (172 mg, 64%).

Example 1 Synthesis of (4-{6-Amino-5-[1′-(2,6-chloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-pyridazin-3-yl}-phenyl)-morpholin-4-yl-methanone

To the mixture of C (0.5 g, 1.49 mmol), 1a (0.267 g, 1.49 mmol), toluene (1.2 mL), ethanol (1.2 mL) in DME (11 mL) was added Pd(Ph₃P)₄ under the protection of nitrogen, followed by 2N Na₂CO₃ aq. (2.3 mL). The resulting mixture was heated under reflux overnight and evaporated. The residue was dissolved in THF (3 mL) and added 2N NaOH (6 mL). The resulting mixture was stirred under reflux for 3.5 h. After being cooled, the mixture was added water (6 mL) and extracted with ethyl acetate (15 mL×2). The aqueous phase was acidified with 3N HCl until pH=5. The resulting precipitate was filtered, washed with water and ethyl acetate to provide 1b (0.56 g, 89%) as white solid.

The mixture of 1b (100 mg, 0.24 mmol), HATU (135 mg, 0.36 mmol) and DIEA (155 mg, 1.20 mmol) in DMF (10 mL) was stirred at room temperature for 0.5 h, then was added morpholine (31 mg, 0.36 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1.5 h and evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography (EA:methanol=50:1) to provide the final compound (52 mg, 45%). 1H-NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ=7.81-7.84 (d, 2H), 7.57-7.62 (m, 1H), 7.46-7.50 (dd, 3H), 6.95 (s, 1H), 6.30-6.37 (m, 3H), 3.31-3.60 (m, 8H), 1.83-1.85 (d, 3H). LC-MS [M+H]⁺: 491.0.

Example 2 Synthesis of (4-{6-Amino-5-[1-(2,6-dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxyl]-pyridazin-3-yl}-phenyl)-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-methanone

The synthesis was similar to that of Example 1 (35 mg, 29% for the final step). 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CD3OD): δ=7.78-7.82 (m, 2H), 7.47-7.53 (m, 3H), 7.24-7.30 (m, 1H), 6.92 (s, 1H), 6.35-6.37 (m, 1H), 3.50-3.90 (m, 4H), 2.70-2.82 (m, 4H), 2.52 (s, 3H), 1.92-1.94 (ds, 3H). LC/MS [M+H]⁺: 504.0.

Example 3 Synthesis of (4-{6-Amino-5-[1-(2,6-dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-pyridazin-3-yl}-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-methanone

The synthesis was similar to that of Example 1 (35 mg, 30% for the final step). 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CD3OD): δ=7.79-7.82 (d, 2H), 7.55-7.58 (d, 2H), 7.46-7.51 (m, 1H), 7.24-7.30 (m, 1H), 6.91 (s, 1H), 6.32-6.38 (m, 1H), 3.69-3.92 (m, 4H), 3.23-3.32 (m, 4H), 1.92-1.94 (d, 3H). LC/MS [M+H]⁺: 490.0.

Example 4 Synthesis of 4-{6-Amino-5-[1-(2,6-dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-pyridazin-3-yl}-N-(2-diethylamino-ethyl)-benzamide

The synthesis was similar to that of Example 1 (53 mg, 43% for the final step). 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ=7.81-7.89 (m, 4H), 7.32-7.36 (m, 1H), 7.07-7.12 (m, 1H), 6.96-6.98 (m, 1H), 6.89 (s, 1H), 6.18-6.21 (m, 1H), 5.15 (s, 2H), 3.47-3.52 (m, 2H), 2.64-2.68 (m, 2H), 2.54-2.61 (m, 4H), 1.90-1.92 (d, 3H), 1.00-1.06 (m, 6H). LC-MS [M+H]⁺: 520.2.

Example 5 Synthesis of 4-{6-Amino-5-[1-(2,6-dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-pyridazin-3-yl}-N,N-dimethyl-benzamide

The synthesis was similar to that of Example 1 (57 mg, 54% for the final step). 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ=7.81-7.85 (dd, 2H), 7.46-7.49 (dd, 2H), 7.32-7.36 (m, 1H), 7.07-7.13 (m, 1H), 6.86 (s, 1H), 6.16-6.23 (m, 1H), 5.15 (s, 2H), 3.12 (s, 3H), 2.97 (s, 3H), 1.90-1.92 (ds, 3H). LC-MS [M+H]⁺: 449.1.

Example 6 Synthesis of (4-{6-Amino-5-[1-(2,6-dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-pyridazin-3-yl}-phenyl)-(4-morpholin-4-yl-piperidin-1-yl)-methanone

The synthesis was similar to that of Example 1 (31 mg, 23% for the final step). 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ=7.82-7.85 (dd, 2H), 7.44-7.47 (dd, 2H), 7.32-7.37 (m, 1H), 7.07-7.13 (m, 1H), 6.86 (s, 1H), 6.16-6.21 (m, 1H), 5.08 (s, 2H), 4.65-4.81 (m, 1H), 3.70-3.82 (m, 5H), 2.82-3.02 (m, 2H), 2.54-2.57 (m, 4H), 2.39-2.45 (m, 1H), 1.76-2.04 (m, 5H), 1.45-1.61 (m, 2H). LC-MS [M+H]⁺: 574.1.

Example 7 Synthesis of 4-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-pyrimidin-5-yl-pyridazin-3-ylamine

Step 1: A mixture of 7a (0.50 g, 3.14 mmol), 4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl (1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl))-1,3,2-dioxaborolane (0.96 g, 3.77 mmol) and KOAc (0.926 g, 9.43 mmol) in DMSO (12 mL) was purged with nitrogen for 10 min, was then added Pd(dppf)₂Cl₂.CH₂Cl₂ (77 mg, 0.09 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred at 100° C. overnight and evaporated. The residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate and filtered. The filtrate was washed with brine (15 mL×2), dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated. The residue was purified by column chromatography (EA: methanol=10:1) to afford 7b (673 mg, 25% purity, 26% yield).

Step 2: To a solution of 7b (368 mg, 0.45 mmol) and C (100 mg, 0.30 mmol) in DMF (10 mL) was added Pd(Ph₃)₂Cl₂ (16.7 mg, 0.024 mmol) under the protection of nitrogen, followed by aqueous 1N Na₂CO₃ (1.3 mL) drop-wise. The reaction mixture was degassed with nitrogen for 3 times and heated at 80° C. overnight. After being evaporated, the mixture was purified by column chromatography (EA:PE=1:3) and re-crystallized from methanol to give the final compound (45 mg, 40%). 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CD3OD): δ=9.18 (s, 1H), 9.13 (s, 2H), 7.56-7.58 (m, 1H), 7.46-7.49 (m, 1H), 7.07 (s, 1H), 6.53 (s, 2H), 6.27-6.34 (m, 1H), 1.81-1.83 (d, 3H). LC-MS [M+H]⁺: 379.9.

Example 8 Synthesis of 4-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-[1-(tetrahydro-pyran-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl]-pyridazin-3-ylamine

Step 1: To a solution of 8a (5.0 g, 50 mmol) in THF (25 mL) cooled to 0° C., was added a suspension of LiAlH₄ (3.8 g, 0.1 mol) in THF (50 mL) slowly. The resulting mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 30 min, then was added water (3.8 mL), followed by aqueous 15% NaOH (3.8 mL) and water (11.4 mL). The mixture was filtered and the solid was washed with ethyl ester (70 mL×2). The combined filtrate was evaporated to afford 8b (5.09 g, 99%).

Step 2: To a solution of 8b (1.0 g, 9.8 mmol) and TEA (1.12 g, 11.1 mmol) in THF (10 mL) cooled by ice-bath, was added methanesulfonyl chloride (1.19 g, 10.4 mmol) drop-wise. The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1.5 h, then filtrated. The solid was washed with ethyl acetate. The combined filtrate was evaporated and the residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate (30 mL), washed with brine (15 mL×2), dried over Na₂SO₄ and evaporated to afford 8c (1.06 g, 60%).

Step 3: To a stirred solution of 8d (0.5 g, 3.4 mmol) in anhydrous DMF (5 mL) cooled to 0° C., was added 60% NaH (0.15 g, 3.74 mmol) slowly. The resulting mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 1 h then was added 8c (0.61 g, 3.4 mmol). The resulting mixture was heated at 100° C. overnight. After being evaporated, the mixture was purified by column chromatography (PE:EA=1:4) to provide 8e (335 mg, 43%).

Step 4: The following synthesis from 8e to 8 was similar to that in Example 7. The final compound (39 mg, 29% for the final step) was finally obtained as white solid. 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ=8.00 (s, 1H), 7.72 (s, 1H), 7.31-7.35 (m, 1H), 7.06-7.12 (m, 1H), 6.63 (s, 1H), 6.10-6.16 (m, 1H), 5.02 (s, 2H), 4.31-4.36 (m, 1H), 4.08-4.14 (m, 2H), 3.49-3.59 (m, 2H), 2.06-2.13 (m, 4H), 1.82-1.83 (d, 3H). LC-MS [M+H]⁺: 452.0.

Example 9 Synthesis of 4-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-(1-piperidin-4-yl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-pyridazin-3-ylamine

The synthesis from 9a to 9e was similar to that in Example 8. To the solution of 9e (12 mg, 0.022 mmol) in DCM (3 mL) was added TFA (1 mL). The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 4 h and evaporated. The residue was dissolved in DCM/MeOH (10:1, 4 mL) and washed with 2N aqueous Na₂CO₃ (3 mL). The water phase was extracted with DCM/MeOH (10:1) (4 mL×2). The combined organic phase was dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated to give the final compound (6.8 mg, 69%). 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CD3OD): δ=8.02 (s, 1H), 7.74 (s, 1H), 7.47-7.52 (m, 1H), 7.24-7.30 (m, 1H), 6.74 (s, 1H), 6.27-6.34 (m, 1H), 4.30-4.38 (m, 1H), 3.20-3.24 (m, 2H), 2.76-2.85 (m, 2H), 2.11-2.21 (m, 2H), 2.03-1.93 (m, 2H), 1.90-1.92 (d, 3H). LC-MS [M+H]⁺: 451.1.

Example 10 Synthesis of 3-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-2-methyl-5-(1-piperidin-4-yl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-pyridine

The synthesis from D to the title compound was similar to that in Example 9 (29 mg, 70% for the final step). 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CD3OD): δ=8.12 (s, 1H), 7.95-7.98 (m, 1H), 7.64-7.67 (m, 1H), 7.39-7.44 (m, 1H), 7.09-7.21 (m, 1H), 7.07-7.09 (m, 1H), 6.10-6.13 (m, 1H), 4.08-4.16 (m, 1H), 3.35-3.40 (m, 1H), 2.98-3.05 (m, 2H), 2.60-2.69 (m, 1H), 2.49 (s, 3H), 1.81-2.23 (m, 4H), 1.81-1.84 (ds, 3H). LC/MS [M−H]⁺: 449.1.

Example 11 Synthesis of 4-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-(6-morpholin-4-yl-pyridin-3-yl)-pyridazin-3-ylamine

Step 1: The suspension of 11a (3.12 g, 13.11 mmol) in 15 mL of morpholine was reacted under microwave condition for 100 min at 120° C. After the reaction was complete, 200 mL of ethyl acetate was added. The resulting solution was washed with 0.1N HCl (50 mL), water (100 mL), 0.1N NaOH (50 mL) and water (100 mL) subsequently. The resulting organic layer was dried over anhydrous Na₂SO4 and evaporated to provide 11b (3.19 g, 99.7%).

Step 2: To a solution of 4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-ioxaborolan-2-yl))-1,3,2-dioxaborolane (1.25 g, 4.92 mmol) in DMF (10 mL) at 0° C. was added KOAc (1.21 g, 12.3 mmol) and Pd(dppf)Cl₂.CH₂Cl₂ (0.1 g, 0.123 mmol) under the protection of nitrogen. The mixture was heated to 80° C. and added a solution of 11b (1.0 g, 4.1 mmol) in DMF (10 mL) dropwise. After the addition was complete, the mixture was stirred at 80° C. for 10 h more and evaporated. The residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate and filtered. The filtrate was evaporated and the residue was purified by column chromatography (EA:PE=1:4) to provide 11c (940 mg, 79%).

Step 3: To a solution of 11c (259 mg, 0.891 mmol) and C (200 mg, 0.594 mmol) in DMF (10 mL) was added Pd(Ph₃P)₂Cl₂ (41.7 mg, 0.059 mmol) under the protection of N₂. The mixture was stirred for 10 min, then added 1N Na₂CO₃ aq. (2.63 mL, 2.63 mmol) drop-wise. The mixture was degassed with N₂ and stirred overnight at 80° C., then evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography (EA:PE=4:1) to give the title compound (131 mg, 47.5% yield) as white solid. ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=8.47-8.48 (d, 1H), 8.14-8.18 (dd, 1H), 7.31-7.36 (m, 1H), 7.05-7.11 (dd, 1H), 6.79 (s, 1H), 6.68-6.71 (m, 1H), 6.14-6.21 (m, 1H), 4.96-4.98 (m, 2H), 3.79-3.84 (m, 4H), 3.55-3.58 (m, 4H), 1.87-1.91 (ds, 3H). LC-MS [M+H]⁺: 464.0.

Example 12 Synthesis of 4-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-[6-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-pyridin-3-yl]-pyridazin-3-ylamine

The synthesis was similar to that of Example 11. The final compound was obtained as white solid (30 mg, 21.1% for the final step). ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=8.46-8.47 (d, 1H), 8.12-8.16 (dd, 1H), 7.31-7.35 (m, 1H), 7.05-7.11 (dd, 1H), 6.79 (s, 1H), 6.69-6.72 (ds, 1H), 6.16-6.20 (m, 1H), 4.95-4.98 (m, 2H), 3.62-3.65 (m, 4H), 2.50-2.55 (m, 4H), 2.36 (s, 3H), 1.89-1.90 (ds, 3H). LC-MS [M+H]⁺: 477.1.

Example 13 Synthesis of 4-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-[4-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl]-pyridazin-3-ylamine

To a solution of N-methylpiperazine (1.5 g, 15 mmol) in dioxane (20 mL) was added 13a (8.85 g, 37.5 mmol), Binap (563 mg, 0.9 mmol), Cs₂CO₃ (6.85 g, 21 mmol) and Pd₂(dba)₃ (275 mg, 0.3 mmol) subsequently under the protection of nitrogen. The mixture was heated under reflux overnight. After the reaction was complete, the mixture was cooled, diluted with EtOAc and washed with water and brine subsequently. The organic layer was concentrated under vacuo. The residue was chromatographed on silic gel (EA:PE=1:10) and recrystallized from EtOAc to provide 13b (648 mg, 33.5%).

The following synthesis from 13b to the final compound was similar to that in Example 11 (79.2 mg, 32.2% for the final step). 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=7.72-7.76 (m, 2H), 7.30-7.34 (m, 1H), 7.05-7.11 (m, 1H), 6.93-6.97 (m, 2H), 6.80 (s, 1H), 6.13-6.20 (m, 1H), 4.93-4.96 (d, 2H), 3.27-3.30 (t, 4H), 2.58-2.61 (t, 4H), 2.37 (s, 3H), 1.87-1.88 (d, 3H). LC-MS [M+H]⁺: 476.1.

Example 14 Synthesis of (4-{5-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-methyl-pyridin-3-yl}-phenyl)-morpholin-4-yl-methanone

The synthesis of the title compound was similar to Example 1 (80 mg, 69% for the final step) 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=8.27 (s, 1H), 7.43-7.49 (m, 4H), 7.28-7.32 (m, 1H), 7.05-7.08 (m, 2H), 6.06-6.09 (m, 1H), 3.62-3.78 (m, 8H), 2.62 (s, 3H), 1.85-1.88 (ds, 3H). LC-MS [M+H]⁺: 489.1.

Example 15 Synthesis of (4-{5-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-methyl-pyridin-3-yl}-phenyl)-(4-morpholin-4-yl-piperidin-1-yl)-methanone

The synthesis of the title compound was similar to Example 14 (86 mg, 63% for the final step) 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=8.26 (s, 1H), 7.44 (s, 4H), 7.28-7.32 (m, 1H), 7.02-7.08 (m, 2H), 6.04-6.11 (m, 1H), 3.71-3.74 (m, 5H), 2.62 (s, 3H), 2.55-2.58 (m, 4H), 1.82-2.01 (m, 7H), 1.41-1.62 (m, 4H). LC-MS [M+H]⁺: 572.1.

Example 16 Synthesis of (4-{5-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-methyl-pyridin-3-yl}-phenyl)-(4-pyrrolidin-1-yl-piperidin-1-yl)-methanone hydrogenchloride

The synthesis of the parent compound was similar to Example 14. A solution of HCl in Et₂O (20 mL) was added drop-wise to a solution of the parent compound (500 mg, 0.90 mmol) in DCM (10 mL). The resulting mixture was stirred at r.t. for 3 h and evaporated. The residue was suspended in DCM (30 mL) and evaporated to give the title compound (532 mg, ca. 100%). 1H-NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ=11.32 (s, 1H), 8.55 (s, 1H), 7.45-7.74 (m, 7H), 6.37-6.40 (m, 1H), 5.75 (s, 1H), 4.57 (m, 1H), 3.30-3.65 (m, 3H), 2.75-3.25 (m, 4H), 2.64 (s, 3H), 2.11-2.21 (m, 2H), 2.03-1.93 (m, 2H), 1.65-2.23 (m, 12H). LC-MS [M+H]⁺: 556.1.

Example 17 Synthesis of (4-{5-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-methyl-pyridin-3-yl}-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-methanone hydrogen chloride

The synthesis of the parent compound was similar to Example 14. A solution of the parent compound (122 mg, 0.21 mmol) in 6N HCl in Et₂O (33 mL) was stirred over weekend and evaporated. The residue was suspended in DCM (30 mL) and evaporated for several times to afford the final compound (101 mg, 100%). ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ=9.54-9.55 (m, 2H), 8.55 (s, 1H), 7.45-7.74 (m, 7H), 6.37-6.40 (m, 1H), 5.75 (s, 1H), 3.56-3.78 (m, 4H), 3.18-3.41 (m, 4H), 2.67 (s, 3H), 1.84-1.87 (ds, 3H). LC-MS [M+H]⁺: 488.1.

Example 18 Synthesis of [1,4]Diazepan-1-yl-(4-{5-[1-(2,6-dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-methyl-pyridin-3-yl}-phenyl)-methanone

To a solution of 14a (180 mg, 0.428 mmol) in 30 mL of DMF was added HATU (224 mg, 0.643 mmol) and DIEA (276 mg, 2.14 mmol). The mixture was stirred at r.t. for 40 min then added drop-wise to a solution of homopiperazine (642 mg, 6.42 mmol) in 50 mL of DMF at −50° C. After addition was complete, the mixture was allowed to be warmed to r.t. and stirred overnight. DMF was evaporated and the residue was purified by column chromatography (Aluminum Oxide, basic) (EA:MeOH=3:1) and prep-HPLC subsequently to give the title compound (115 mg, 52% yield). ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=8.25-8.26 (d, 1H), 7.44 (s, 4H), 7.28-7.32 (m, 1H), 7.02-7.08 (m, 2H), 6.06-6.09 (m, 1H), 3.76-3.80 (m, 2H), 3.46-3.52 (m, 2H), 3.06-3.10 (m, 1H), 2.86-2.97 (m, 3H), 2.62 (s, 3H), 1.91-1.99 (m, 1H), 1.86-1.88 (d, 3H), 1.73-1.75 (m, 1H). LC-MS [M+H]⁺: 502.1.

Example 19 Synthesis of 3-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-2-methyl-5-[1-(tetrahydro-pyran-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl]-pyridine

To a solution of 8f (147 mg, 0.53 mmol) and D (100 mg, 0.27 mmol) in DMF (10 mL) was added Pd(Ph₃)₂Cl₂ (18.2 mg, 0.026 mmol) under the protection of nitrogen, followed by aqueous 1N Na₂CO₃ (1.1 mL) drop-wise. The reaction mixture was degassed and charged with nitrogen and heated at 80° C. overnight. After being evaporated, the mixture was purified by column chromatography (EA:PE=1:1) to give the title compound (75.7 mg, 63.6%). 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=8.14-8.15 (d, 1H), 7.60-7.65 (dd, 2H), 7.27-7.31 (m, 1H), 7.00-7.06 (m, 1H), 6.95-6.96 (d, 1H), 5.99-6.06 (m, 1H), 4.31-4.36 (m, 1H), 4.09-4.15 (m, 2H), 3.50-3.60 (m, 2H), 2.56 (s, 3H), 2.04-2.13 (m, 4H), 1.84-1.86 (d, 3H). LC-MS [M+H]⁺: 450.0.

Example 20 Synthesis of 5-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-methyl-6′-morpholin-4-yl-[3,3′]bipyridinyl

The synthesis of the title compound was similar to that of Example 11 (95 mg, 51% for the final step). 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ=8.27-8.28 (d, 1H), 8.19 (s, 1H), 7.54-7.58 (dd, 1H), 7.27-7.32 (m, 1H), 7.00-7.06 (m, 2H), 6.66-6.69 (d, 2H), 6.03-6.09 (m, 1H), 3.82-3.85 (m, 4H), 3.53-3.56 (m, 4H), 2.59 (s, 3H), 1.85-1.87 (d, 3H). LC-MS [M+H]⁺: 462.0.

Example 21 Synthesis of 3-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-2-methyl-5-[1-(tetrahydro-furan-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl]-pyridine

Step 1: To a solution of 21a (0.6 g, 6.81 mmol) and TEA (1.05 g, 8.17 mmol) in THF was added methanesulfonyl chloride (0.86 g, 7.50 mmol) cooled by ice-bath. The mixture was stirred over weekend and then evaporated. The residue was dissolved in EtOAc and washed with aq. NaHCO₃. The organic phase was dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated to provide 21b (1.1 g, 97% yield).

Step 2: To a solution of 8d (0.65 g, 4.42 mmol) in DMF cooled by ice-bath was added 60% NaH (0.27 g, 6.63 mmol). One hour later, 21b (1.1 g, 6.63 mmol) was added. The resulting mixture was stirred for 40 h at 100° C. and evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography (EA:PE=1:15) to afford 21c (0.79 g, 82% yield) as white solid.

Step 3: To a solution of 21c (0.79 g, 3.64 mmol) and bis(pinacolato)diboron (1.11 g, 4.37 mmol) in DMF (20 mL), was added KOAc (1.07 g, 10.92 mmol). The mixture was degassed with N2 and stirred for 10 min, then was added Pd(dppf)Cl₂ (89 mg, 0.109 mmol). The resulting mixture was degassed with N₂ and stirred at 80° C. overnight. After the reaction was complete, DMF was evaporated and the residue was purified by column chromatography (EA:PE=1:10) to afford 21d (0.63 g, 65.6% yield).

Step 4: The following step was similar to that of Example 8 (95 mg, 51% for the final step). 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ=8.27-8.28 (d, 1H), 8.19 (s, 1H), 7.54-7.58 (dd, 1H), 7.27-7.32 (m, 1H), 7.00-7.06 (m, 2H), 6.66-6.69 (d, 2H), 6.03-6.09 (m, 1H), 3.82-3.85 (m, 4H), 3.53-3.56 (m, 4H), 2.59 (s, 3H), 1.85-1.87 (d, 3H). LC-MS [M+H]⁺: 436.0.

Example 22 Synthesis of 2-(4-{5-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-methyl-pyridin-3-yl}-pyrazol-1-yl)-ethanol

Step 1: The mixture of 8d (400 mg, 2.72 mmol), KI (671 mg, 4.04 mmol), KOH (290 mg, 5.2 mmol) and 22a (625 mg, 5.0 mmol) in EtOH (10 mL) were reacted under microwave condition at 155° C. for 8 h. After the reaction was complete, the mixture was cooled, filtered and evaporated. The residue was dissolved in 20 mL of EtOAc and washed with 20 mL of water, dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated to give 22b (0.45 g, 86% yield) as yellow oil.

Step 2: To a solution of 22b (0.45 g, 2.36 mmol) and bis(pinacolato)diboron (0.718 g, 2.83 mmol) in DMF (20 mL), was added KOAc (0.694 g, 7.08 mmol). The mixture was degassed with N₂, stirred for 10 min and added Pd(dppf)Cl₂ (58 mg, 0.071 mmol). The mixture was degassed with N2 and stirred at 80° C. overnight. DMF was removed and the residue was purified by column chromatography (EA:PE=1:10) to afford of 22c (149 mg, 26.6% yield).

Step 3: To a solution of 22c (149 mg, 0.63 mmol) and D (120 mg, 0.32 mmol) in DMF (15 mL) was added Pd(Ph₃P)₂Cl₂ (22 mg, 0.032 mmol) under the protection of N₂. The mixture was degassed with N₂, stirred for 10 min and added 1N Na₂CO₃ solution dropwise. The mixture was degassed with N₂ and stirred overnight at 80° C. After the reaction was complete, DMF was evaporated and the residue was purified by column chromatography (EA:PE=3:1) to give the title compound (96 mg, 74% yield). ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=8.11-8.12 (d, 1H), 7.59-7.60 (d, 1H), 7.641-7.644 (d, 1H), 7.26-7.32 (m, 1H), 7.01-7.06 (dd, 1H), 6.94-6.95 (d, 1H), 5.99-6.05 (m, 1H), 4.24-4.27 (m, 2H), 4.01-4.04 (m, 2H), 2.55 (s, 3H), 1.84-1.86 (ds, 3H). LC/MS [M+H]⁺: 410.0.

Example 23 Synthesis of 3-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-5-[1-(2-methoxy-ethyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl]-2-methyl-pyridine

Step 1: The mixture of 8d (500 mg, 3.4 mmol), KOH (286 mg, 5.1 mmol) and 23a (709 mg, 5.1 mmol) in absolute EtOH (10 mL) was heated under reflux overnight. After the reaction was complete, the mixture was cooled, filtered and evaporated. The residue was dissolved in EtOAc and washed with water, dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated to give 23b (0.61 g, 87% yield) as yellow oil.

Step 2: To the solution of 23b (0.61 g, 2.97 mmol) and bis(pinacolato)diboron (0.91 g, 3.57 mmol) in DMF (20 mL), was added KOAc (0.87 g, 8.91 mmol). The mixture was degassed with N₂, stirred for 10 min and added Pd(dppf)Cl₂.CH₂Cl₂ (73 mg, 0.089 mmol). The mixture was degassed with N2 and stirred at 80° C. overnight. After the reaction was complete, DMF was evaporated and the residue was purified by column chromatography (EA:PE=1:7) to afford 23c (0.34 g, 45% yield) as oil.

Step 3: To the solution of 23c (99 mg, 0.39 mmol) and D (100 mg, 0.26 mmol) in DMF (15 mL) was added Pd(Ph₃P)₂Cl₂ (18 mg, 0.026 mmol) under the protection of N₂. The mixture was degassed with N₂, stirred for 10 min and added 1N Na₂CO₃ aq. dropwise. The mixture was degassed with N₂ and stirred overnight at 80° C. After the reaction was complete, DMF was evaporated and the residue was purified by FC (EA:PE=1:1) and Prep-TLC subsequently to give the title compound (41 mg, 36.6% yield) as white solid. ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=8.15-8.16 (d, 1H), 7.64 (s, 2H), 7.26-7.31 (m, 1H), 7.00-7.06 (dd, 1H), 6.95-6.96 (d, 1H), 5.99-6.06 (m, 1H), 4.27-4.31 (t, 2H), 3.74-3.77 (t, 2H), 3.35 (s, 3H), 2.55 (s, 3H), 1.84-1.86 (d, 3H). LC/MS [M+H]⁺: 424.0.

Example 24 Synthesis of 5′-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6′-methyl-[3,3′]bipyridinyl-5-carboxylic acid dimethylamide

Step 1: To the solution of 24a (500 mg, 2.48 mmol) in methanol (20 mL) was added thionyl chloride (590 mg, 4.95 mmol) at 0-5° C. The mixture was heated under reflux overnight, neutralized with sat.NaHCO₃ and evaporated. The residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate and washed with water and brine subsequently. The resulting organic layer was dried over anhydrous Na₂SO4 and evaporated to provide 24b (468 mg, 87.5%).

Step 2: To the solution of 4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl (1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl))-1,3,2-dioxaborolane (660 mg, 2.60 mmol) in DMF (10 mL) at 0° C. was added KOAc (638 g, 6.50 mmol) and Pd(dppf)Cl₂.CH₂Cl₂ (53 mg, 0.065 mmol). The reaction mixture was heated to 80° C. at which point a solution of 24b (468 mg, 2.17 mmol) in DMF (10 mL) was added drop-wise. The resulting mixture was stirred at 80° C. for 10 h more and evaporated. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel (EA:PE=1:10) to provide 24c (572 mg, ca. 100%).

Step 3: To the solution of 24c (174 mg, 0.66 mmol) and D (100 mg, 0.27 mmol) in DMF (10 mL) was added Pd(Ph₃)₂Cl₂ (18 mg, 0.026 mmol) under the protection of nitrogen, followed by 1N Na₂CO₃ aq. (1.1 mL) drop-wise. The reaction mixture was degassed with nitrogen, heated at 80° C. overnight and filtered. The filtrate was evaporated. The residue was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂/methanol (2:1), dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and evaporated to afford crude product 24e which was used directly for the next reaction without further purification.

Step 4: The mixture of 24e obtained from above, HATU (151 mg, 0.40 mmol) and DIEA (171 mg, 1.33 mmol) in DMF (10 mL) was stirred at room temperature for 0.5 h, was then added dimethylamine hydrochloride (33 mg, 0.40 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight and evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography (EA:PE=3:1) to provide the title compound (89 mg, 75%). 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ=8.71-8.72 (d, 1H), 8.61-8.62 (d, 1H), 8.27-8.28 (d, 1H), 7.97-7.98 (t, 1H), 7.43-7.047 (m, 1H), 7.21-7.27 (m, 2H), 6.23-6.30 (m, 1H), 3.04 (s, 3H), 3.29 (s, 3H), 2.60 (s, 3H), 1.88-1.93 (d, 3H). LC-MS [M+H]⁺: 448.0.

Example 25 Synthesis of 3-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-2-methyl-5-[1-(tetrahydro-pyran-4-ylmethyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl]-pyridine

Step 1: To a stirred solution of 8d (370 mg, 2.52 mmol) in anhydrous DMF (5 mL) cooled to 0° C., was added 60% NaH (121 mg, 3.02 mmol) slowly. The resulting mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 1 h, was then added 4-(bromomethyl)-2H-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyran (25a) (496 g, 2.77 mmol). The resulting mixture was then heated at 60° C. overnight. After being evaporated, the mixture was purified by column chromatography (PE:EA=10:1) to provide 25b (541 mg, 87.6%).

Step 2: The following synthesis from 25b to the title compound was similar to that in Example 11 (86.6 mg, 70.4% for the final step). 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=8.18 (bs, 1H), 7.63-7.64 (d, 1H), 7.52 (s, 1H), 7.26-7.31 (m, 1H), 6.96-7.07 (m, 2H), 5.99-6.06 (m, 1H), 3.94-4.01 (m, 4H), 3.32-3.41 (m, 2H), 2.56 (s, 3H), 2.04-2.22 (m, 1H), 1.85-1.87 (d, 3H), 1.44-1.54 (m, 4H). LC-MS [M+H]⁺: 464.1.

Example 26 Synthesis of 5-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-methyl-2′-morpholin-4-yl-[3,4′]bipyridinyl

Step 1: A suspension of 26a (5.0 g, 38.9 mmol) in morpholine (13 mL) was heated under microwave condition at 200° C. for 1 h. After being cooled to room temperature, precipitate appeared in the mixture. Ether (45 mL) was added and the suspension was stirred for 10 min before being filtered. The filter cake was washed with ether and dried to afford 26b (6.61 g, 95%).

Step 2: To the ice-bath cooled solution of 26b (6.61 g, 36.9) in a mixture of 98% H₂SO₄ (308 mL) and H₂O (189 mL) was added a solution of NaNO₂ (2.55 g, 36.9 mmol) in H₂O (137 mL) drop-wise. The resulting mixture was stirred for 30 min at 0° C., was then added CuBr (6.09, 42.4 mmol) and 48% HBr (100 mL, 80.91 mmol). After being stirred for 15 min at 0° C. and 30 min at 60° C., the mixture was cooled to room temperature, neutralized to pH=8 and extracted with EtOAc. The organic phase was dried over Na₂SO₄, concentrated under vacua and purified by column chromatograph on silica gel (EA:PE=1:10) to give 26c (5.03, 56%).

Step 3: The following synthesis from 26c to the title compound was similar to that in Example 11 (88.1 mg, 72.2% for the final step). 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=8.29 (bs, 1H), 8.21-8.23 (d, 1H), 7.28-7.31 (m, 1H), 7.03-7.09 (m, 2H), 6.73-6.75 (m, 1H), 6.56 (s, 1H), 6.03-6.09 (m, 1H), 3.84-3.87 (m, 4H), 3.46-3.55 (m, 4H), 2.62 (s, 3H), 1.86-1.93 (d, 3H). LC-MS [M+H]⁺: 462.1.

Example 27 Synthesis of 2-(4-{5-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-methyl-pyridin-3-yl}-pyrazol-1-yl)-N,N-dimethyl-acetamide

Step 1: To a stirred solution of 8d (300 mg, 2.04 mmol) in anhydrous DMF (5 mL) cooled to 0° C., was added 60% NaH (98 mg, 2.45 mmol) slowly. The resulting mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 1 h, were then added 27a (374 g, 2.24 mmol) and KI (355 mg, 2.14 mmol). The resulting mixture was heated at 60° C. over weekend. After being evaporated, the mixture was purified by column chromatography (PE:EA=10:1) to provide 27b (330 mg, 70%).

Step 2: To a solution of 4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl (1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl))-1,3,2-dioxaborolane (436 mg, 1.72 mmol) in DMF (10 mL) at 0° C. were added KOAc (420 mg, 4.29 mmol) and Pd(dppf)Cl₂.CH₂Cl₂ (35 mg, 0.043 mmol). The reaction mixture was heated to 80° C. at which point a solution of 27b (333 mg, 1.43 mmol) in DMF (10 mL) was added drop-wise. The resulting mixture was stirred at 80° C. overnight and evaporated to dryness. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel (ethyl acetate/petrol=1:10) to provide 27c (76 mg, 19%).

Step 3: To a solution of 27c (57 mg, 0.15 mmol) and D (76 mg, 0.27 mmol) in DMF (5 mL) was added Pd(PPh₃)₂Cl₂ (11 mg, 0.015 mmol) under the protection of nitrogen, followed by 1N Na₂CO₃ aq. (0.06 mL). The reaction mixture was degassed, heated at 80° C. overnight and filtered. The filtrate was evaporated to give crude 27d which was used directly for the next reaction without further purification.

Step 4: The mixture of 27d, 2N NaOH (2 mL, 4 mmol) aq. and THF (1 mL) was heated under reflux for 3 h, then acidified to pH=5-6. The organic layer was separated and the aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc (2×10 mL). The combined organic phase was dried over Na₂SO4 and evaporated to give crude 27e which was used directly for the next reaction without further purification.

Step 5: The mixture of 27e obtained from above, HATU (86 mg, 0.23 mmol) and DIEA (97 mg, 0.76 mmol) in DMF (5 mL) was stirred at room temperature for 0.5 h, was then added dimethylamine hydrochloride (19 mg, 0.23 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight and evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography (EA:methanol=20:1) to provide the title compound (13.5 mg, 20% yield from D) as white solid. 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=8.17 (s, 1H), 7.71 (s, 1H), 7.66 (s, 1H), 7.27-7.32 (m, 1H), 6.98-7.06 (m, 2H), 6.01-6.03 (m, 1H), 4.99 (s, 2H), 3.10 (s, 3H), 2.99 (s, 3H), 2.56 (s, 3H), 1.82-1.84 (d, 3H). LC/MS [M+H]⁺: 451.1.

Example 28 Synthesis of 5-{5-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-methyl-pyridin-3-yl}-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one

Step 1: To the solution of 28a (500 mg, 3.76 mmol) in acetonitrile (8 mL) cooled to −10° C., was slowly added N-bromosuccinimide (770 mg, 4.33 mmol) with stirring. After the addition was complete, the mixture was stirred for 1 h at −10° C., then warmed to 0° C. for 2 h. The resulting precipitate was collected by filtration, washed with water and dried under vacuo to give 28b (513 mg, 64.4%).

Step 2: A mixture of 28b (513 mg, 2.42 mmol), 4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl (1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl))-1,3,2-dioxaborolane (716 mg, 2.82 mmol) and KOAc (878 mg, 8.95 mmol) in dioxane (20 mL) was purged with nitrogen for 10 min, then added Pd(dppf)Cl₂.CH₂Cl₂ (108 mg, 0.13 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred at 80° C. overnight and evaporated. The residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate and filtrated. The filtrate was washed with brine (15 mL×2), dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated. The residue was purified by column chromatography (EA:PE=4:1) to afford 28c (470 mg, 75%).

Step 3: To a solution of 28c (171.3 mg, 0.66 mmol) and D (100 mg, 0.26 mmol) in DMF (10 mL) was added Pd(Ph₃)₂Cl₂ (20 mg, 0.028 mmol) under the protection of nitrogen, followed by 1N Na₂CO₃ (1.01 mL) aq. Drop-wise. The reaction mixture was degassed and heated at 80° C. overnight. After being evaporated, the mixture was purified by column chromatography (EA:PE=1:3) to provide crude product which was purified again by prep-TLC (EA:PE=1:1) to give the title compound (5.6 mg, 5%). ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CD3OD): δ=8.13 (d, 1H), 7.43-7.46 (q, 1H), 7.33 (t, 1H), 7.20-7.29 (m, 2H), 6.93-6.95 (d, 1H), 6.19-6.22 (q, 1H), 3.317 (s, 2H), 2.56 (s, 3H), 1.89-1.90 (d, 2H). LC-MS [M+H]⁺: 431.1.

Example 29 Synthesis of 3-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-5-{1-[1-(2-methoxy-ethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}-2-methyl-pyridine

A mixture of Example 10 (78 mg, 0.174 mmol), 23a (48 mg, 0.348 mmol), K₂CO₃ (120 mg, 0.870 mmol) and KI (32 mg, 0.191 mmol) in CH₃CN (10 mL) was reacted under microwave condition at 160° C. for 2 h. After the reaction was complete, the mixture was filtered and evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography (EA:MeOH=10:1) to afford the title compound (44 mg, 44.4% yield) as solid. ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=8.14-8.15 (d, 1H), 7.62-7.63 (d, 1H), 7.59 (s, 1H), 7.28-7.33 (m, 1H), 6.95-7.06 (dd, 1H), 6.94-6.95 (d, 1H), 6.01-6.03 (m, 1H), 4.02 (m, 1H), 3.59-3.63 (t, 2H), 3.37 (s, 3H), 3.18-3.22 (m, 2H), 2.71-2.75 (t, 2H), 2.56 (s, 3H), 2.00-2.43 (m, 6H), 1.84-1.86 (d, 3H). LC/MS [M+H]⁺: 507.2.

Example 30 Synthesis of 2-[4-(4-{5-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-methyl-pyridin-3-yl}-pyrazol-1-yl)-piperidin-1-yl]ethanol

The synthesis was similar to that of Example 29 (28 mg, 29% yield). ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=8.14-8.15 (d, 1H), 7.631-7.633 (d, 1H), 7.61 (s, 1H), 7.28-7.33 (m, 1H), 7.01-7.07 (dd, 1H), 6.95-6.96 (d, 1H), 6.01-6.04 (m, 1H), 4.20-4.26 (m, 1H), 3.71-3.75 (t, 2H), 3.18-3.22 (m, 2H), 2.72-2.74 (t, 2H), 2.58 (s, 3H), 2.07-2.53 (m, 6H), 1.84-1.87 (d, 3H). LC/MS [M+H]⁺: 493.1.

Example 31 Synthesis of 4-(4-{5-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-methyl-pyridin-3-yl}-pyrazol-1-yl)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid dimethylamide

To a solution of 10 (18 mg, 0.04 mmol) and triethylamine (16 mg, 0.16 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (5 mL) was added 31a (4.7 mg, 0.044 mmol) at 0° C. The mixture was stirred at r.t. overnight and evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography (methanol:EA=2:15) to provide the title compound (12 mg, 57.7%). 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=8.16 (s, 1H), 7.60-7.63 (d, 2H), 7.27-7.32 (m, 1H), 7.01-7.06 (m, 1H), 6.96-6.97 (d, 1H), 6.01-6.06 (m, 1H), 4.23-4.28 (m, 1H), 3.77-3.82 (m, 2H), 2.87-2.97 (m, 2H), 2.86 (s, 6H), 2.55 (s, 3H), 1.99-2.19 (m, 4H), 1.84-1.86 (d, 3H). LC-MS [M+H]⁺: 519.7.

Example 32 Synthesis of 1-[4-(4-{5-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-methyl-pyridin-3-yl}-pyrazol-1-yl)-piperidin-1-yl]-2-hydroxy-ethanone

Step 1: To a solution of 10 (18 mg, 0.04 mmol) and triethylamine (16 mg, 0.16 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (5 mL) was added 32a (6.0 mg, 0.044 mmol) at 0° C. The mixture was stirred at r.t. overnight and evaporated to provide crude 32b which was used for next step without further purification.

Step 2: To the solution of 32b in methanol (2 mL) were added water (0.5 mL) and LiOH (1.4 mg). The mixture was stirred at r.t. for 0.5 h, then evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography (methanol:EA=1:6) to provide the title compound (18.7 mg, 92% from 10). ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=8.14-8.15 (d, 1H), 7.64 (s, 1H), 7.57 (s, 1H), 7.27-7.32 (m, 1H), 7.01-7.07 (m, 1H), 6.95-6.96 (d, 1H), 6.01-6.04 (m, 1H), 4.67-4.72 (m, 1H), 4.36-4.39 (m, 1H), 4.21 (s, 2H), 3.64-3.70 (m, 1H), 3.13-3.21 (m, 1H), 2.92-2.99 (m, 1H), 2.56 (s, 3H), 2.19-2.26 (m, 2H), 1.98-2.06 (m, 2H), 1.85-1.87 (d, 3H). LC/MS [M+H]⁺: 506.8.

Example 33 Synthesis of 4-{5-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-methyl-pyridin-3-yl}-pyrazole-1-carboxylic acid dimethylamide

Step 1: To a solution of 33a (100 mg. 0.52 mmol) in DMF (4.5 mL) was added 60% NaH (20.6 mg, 0.52 mmol) slowly at 0° C. After being stirred at 0° C. for 1 hour, the resulting mixture was added a solution of 31a (66 mg, 0.62 mmol) in DMF (0.5 mL) drop-wise, then stirred at room temperature overnight and evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography (PE:EA=7:1) to give 33b (62.5 mg, 46%).

Step 2: The final step was similar to that of Example 8 (61 mg, 90% for the final step). 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=8.26 (s, 1H), 8.22 (s, 1H), 7.78 (s, 1H), 7.29-7.33 (m, 1H), 7.00-7.07 (m, 2H), 6.01-6.07 (m, 1H), 3.20 (s, 6H), 2.58 (s, 3H), 1.85-1.87 (d, 3H). LC-MS [M+H]⁺: 436.8.

Example 34 Synthesis of 2-(4-{5-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-methyl-pyridin-3-yl}-pyrazol-1-yl)-2-methyl-propan-1-ol

Step 1: To a solution of 8d (0.5 g, 3.4 mmol) in DMF (10 mL) cooled by ice-bath was added 60% NaH (164 mg, 4.1 mmol). After the mixture was stirred for 1 h, 34a (0.796 g, 4.1 mmol) was added. The resulting mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature. After the reaction was complete, DMF was evaporated and the residue was purified by column chromatography (EA:PE=1:20) to afford 34b (0.75 g, 85% yield).

Step 2: To a solution of 34b (0.75 g, 2.87 mmol) in anhydrous THF (10 mL) was added LiAlH₄ (120 mg in 4 mL of THF) drop-wise under the protection of N₂. The reaction mixture was stirred at r.t. overnight, then quenched with 2N HCl to pH=5 cooled by ice-bath. The insoluble material was removed by filtration. The filter cake was extracted with EA for several times. The combined organic layer was washed with brine and water, then dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated. The residue was purified by column chromatography (EA:PE=1:10) to afford 34c (248 mg, 37% yield).

Step 3: To a solution of 34c (245 mg, 1.12 mmol) and bis(pinacolato)diboron (320 mg, 1.26 mmol) in DMF (15 mL), was added KOAc (309 mg, 3.15 mmol). The mixture was degassed and stirred for 10 min, then added Pd(dppf)Cl₂. After the addition was complete, the mixture was degassed and stirred at 80° C. overnight. After the reaction was complete, DMF was evaporated and the residue was purified by column chromatography (EA:PE=1:7) to provide 34d (134 mg, 45% yield) as off-white solid.

Step 4: To a solution of 34d (134 mg, 0.5 mmol) and D (90 mg, 0.24 mmol) in DMF (10 mL) was added Pd(Ph₃P)₂Cl₂ (17 mg, 0.024 mmol) under the protection of N₂. The mixture was degassed and stirred for 10 min, then added 1N Na₂CO₃ aq. dropwise. The mixture was degassed and stirred overnight at 80° C. After the reaction was complete, DMF was evaporated and the residue was purified by column chromatography (EA:PE=1:2) and Prep-TLC subsequently to provide the title compound (27 mg, 26% yield). ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=8.10-8.11 (d, 1H), 7.66-7.66 (d, 1H), 7.60-7.61 (d, 1H), 7.26-7.31 (m, 1H), 6.99-7.05 (dd, 1H), 6.93-6.94 (d, 1H), 5.97-6.01 (m, 1H), 3.80 (s, 2H), 2.54 (s, 3H), 1.84-1.86 (d, 3H), 1.57 (s, 6H). LC-MS [M+H]⁺: 437.8.

Examples 35 & 36 Synthesis of 4-(4-{5-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-methyl-pyridin-3-yl}-pyrazol-1-yl)-pyrimidine and 2-(4-{5-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-methyl-pyridin-3-yl}-pyrazol-1-yl)-pyrimidine

Step 1: To a solution of 33a (1.0 g, 5.15 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (30 mL) was added DIEA (2.0 g, 15.5 mmol), followed by (Boc)₂O (1.55 g, 7.4 mmol) drop-wise at 0° C. The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 days. After the reaction was complete detected by TLC, the mixture was evaporated and the residue was purified by silica column chromatography (PE:EA=4:1) to provide 35a (0.86 g, 57% yield).

Step 2: To the stirred mixture of D (400 mg, 1.06 mmol) and 35a (467 mg, 1.59 mmol) in DMF (35 mL), was added Pd(PPh₃)₂Cl₂ (74 mg, 0.11 mmol), followed by 1N Na₂CO₃ (4.7 mL) aq. slowly. The reaction mixture was degassed and heated at 80° C. overnight. After the reaction was complete, DMF was evaporated and the residue was purified by column chromatography (PE:EA=1:1) to give 35b (267 mg, 70%).

Step 3: To a solution of 35b (20 mg, 0.055 mmol) in DMSO (1 mL), was added 35c (41 mg, 0.27 mmol), followed by DBU (9 mg, 0.057 mmol) at room temperature. The resulting mixture was heated at 80° C. for 2 hours. After the reaction was complete, the solvent was evaporated and the residue was purified by Prep-TLC to give 35d (14 mg, 53%) and 36a (6 mg, 23%).

Step 4: The mixture of 35d (13 mg, 0.027 mmol) and 10% Pd/C (10.7 mg) in methanol (6 mL) was hydrogenated under hydrogen atmosphere for 3 hours. After the reaction was complete, the mixture was filtrated. The filtrate was concentrated and purified by Prep-TLC to afford 35 (2.7 mg, 22%). 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=9.05 (s, 1H), 8.76-8.79 (m, 2H), 8.27 (s, 1H), 7.91-7.93 (m, 2H), 7.29-7.34 (m, 1H), 7.02-7.07 (m, 2H), 6.05-6.08 (m, 1H), 2.57 (s, 3H), 1.85-1.89 (d, 3H). LC-MS [M+H]⁺: 444.2.

36a was similarly treated to give 36 (2.1 mg, 36%). 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ=8.77-8.79 (d, 2H), 8.75 (s, 1H), 8.29 (s, 1H), 7.97 (s, 1H), 7.29-7.33 (m, 1H), 7.22-7.26 (m, 1H), 7.01-7.08 (m, 2H), 6.04-6.11 (m, 1H), 2.59 (s, 3H), 1.87-1.89 (d, 3H). LC-MS [M+H]⁺: 444.2.

Example 37 Synthesis of 5-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-methyl-3′,6′-dihydro-2′H-[3,4′]bipyridinyl-1′-carboxylic acid dimethylamide

Step 1: To the solution of 37a (10 g, 50 mmol) in THF (50 mL) was added a solution of LiHMDSA (55 mmol) in THF (50 mL) at −78° C. After being stirred at that temperature for 30 min, the mixture was added a solution of N-phenyltrifluoromethanesulfonimide (18.2 g, 51 mmol) in 50 mL of THF. The resulting mixture was warmed to 0° C., stirred for 3 h and evaporated. The residue was purified by neutral alumina column chromatography (PE:EA=10:1) to provide compound 37b (9.3 g, 58% yield) as an oil. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=1.45 (s, 9H), 2.43-2.45 (m, 2H), 3.60-3.64 (m, 2H), 4.03-4.04 (m, 2H), 5.76 (m, 1H).

Step 2: A mixture of 37b (0.50 g, 1.51 mmol), 4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl (1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl))-1,3,2-dioxaborolane (0.46 g, 1.81 mmol), KOAc (0.445 g, 4.53 mmol) and dppf (25 mg, 0.045 mmol) in dioxane (15 mL) was purged with nitrogen for 10 min, then added Pd(dppf)Cl₂.CH₂Cl₂ (37 mg, 0.045 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred at 80° C. overnight and evaporated. The residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate, filtrated and evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography (EA:PE=1:10) to afford 37c (448 mg, 95%).

Step 3: To a solution of 37c (117 mg, 0.39 mmol) and D (100 mg, 0.26 mmol) in DMF (10 mL) was added Pd(Ph₃P)₂Cl₂ (19 mg, 0.027 mmol) under the protection of N₂. The mixture was degassed, then added 1N Na₂CO₃ aq. (1.1 mL) dropwise. The mixture was degassed again and stirred overnight at 80° C. After the reaction was complete, the solvent was evaporated and the residue was purified by column chromatography (PE:EA=10:1) to provide 37d (120 mg, 94% yield).

Step 4: To a solution of 37d (120 mg, 0.25 mmol) in DCM (3 mL) was added TFA (1 mL). The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 4 h and evaporated. The residue was used for next reaction directly without further purification.

Step 5: The last step was similar to that in Example 31 to afford the title compound (97 mg, 86%), 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=8.07-8.08 (d, 1H), 7.27-7.32 (m, 1H), 7.02-7.08 (m, 1H), 6.88 (d, 1H), 5.95-6.02 (m, 2H), 3.88-3.91 (m, 2H), 3.39-3.43 (m, 2H), 2.83 (s, 6H), 2.56 (s, 3H), 2.32-2.47 (m, 2H), 1.83-1.85 (d, 3H). LC-MS [M+H]⁺: 452.0.

Example 38 Synthesis of {5-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-methyl-3′,6′-dihydro-2′H-[3,4′]bipyridinyl-1′-yl}-morpholin-4-yl-methanone

The synthesis was similar to that in Example 37 (57 mg, 77%), 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=8.05 (d, 1H), 7.26-7.31 (m, 1H), 7.02-7.08 (m, 1H), 6.85 (s, 1H), 5.93-6.03 (m, 2H), 3.92-3.93 (m, 2H), 3.66-3.71 (m, 4H), 3.43-3.46 (m, 2H), 3.26-3.29 (m, 4H), 2.55 (d, 3H), 2.33-2.54 (m, 2H), 1.81-1.87 (d, 3H). LC-MS [M+H]⁺: 494.1.

Example 39 Synthesis of 6-Amino-5-[1-(2,6-dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-pyridazine-3-carboxylic acid pyridin-4-ylamide

Step 1: To a solution of C (200 mg, 0.59 mmol) in DMF (5 mL) was added Boc2O (233 mg, 1.07 mmol) and DMAP (15 mg, 0.12 mmol). The mixture was stirred at r.t. overnight and evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography (PE:EA=10:1) to afford 39a (228 mg, 72%).

Step 2: Sodium acetate (26 mg, 0.32 mmol) was added to a solution of 39a (85 mg, 0.16 mmol) in ethanol/DMD [(5:1) (6 mL)]. The mixture was degassed, then added Pd(dppf)Cl₂.CH₂Cl₂ (13 mg, 0.016 mmol). The resulting mixture was heated at CO atmosphere at 90° C. overnight, then evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography (PE:EA=1:4) to afford 39b (54 mg, 59%).

Step 3: To the solution of 39b (439 mg, 0.76 mmol) in THF (9 mL) was added 1N LiOH aq. (0.9 mL). The resulting mixture was stirred at r.t. over weekend, then acidified by 2N HCl to pH=5, extracted with ethyl acetate (30 mL×5). The combined organic phase was dried over Na₂SO₄, filtrated and concentrated to give 39c (411 mg, 98%).

Step 4: To a mixture of 39c (50 mg, 0.092 mmol) and TEA (19 mg, 0.18 mmol) in DCM (5 mL) was added oxalyl chloride (23 mg, 0.18 mmol) drop-wise at 0° C. After the addition was complete, the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours and evaporated. The residue was dissolved in DCM (2 mL) and added to the mixture of 39e (17 mg, 0.18 mmol) and TEA (46 mg, 0.46 mmol) in DCM (4 mL) drop-wise at 0° C. After the addition was complete, the mixture was stirred at r.t. over weekend, then evaporated. The residue was dissolved in a mixture of DCM (3 mL) and TFA (1 mL), stirred at r.t. for 2 hours and evaporated. The resulting residue was basified by sat. Na₂CO₃ aq. until pH=8, and extracted with ethyl acetate (10 mL×5). The combined organic phase was dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated. The residue was purified by Prep-TLC to afford title compound (5.1 mg, 13%). ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=9.94 (s, 1H), 8.52-8.54 (d, 2H), 7.62-7.64 (dd, 2H), 7.33-7.38 (m, 2H), 7.07-7.13 (m, 1H), 6.24-6.27 (m, 1H), 5.43 (s, 2H), 1.89-1.92 (d, 3H). LC-MS [M+H]⁺: 422.0.

Example 40 Synthesis of 6-Amino-5-[1-(2,6-dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-pyridazine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide

The synthesis was similar to that of Example 39 (11 mg, 13% for the final step). 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=7.81 (s, 1H), 7.30-7.34 (m, 2H), 7.04-7.10 (m, 1H), 6.18-6.25 (m, 1H), 5.55 (s, 2H), 2.96-2.98 (d, 3H), 1.89-1.92 (d, 3H). LC-MS [M+H]⁺: 359.0.

Example 41 Synthesis of 6-Amino-5-[1-(2,6-dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-pyridazine-3-carboxylic acid (tetrahydro-pyran-4-yl)-amide

The synthesis was similar to that of Example 39 (1.0 mg, 13% for the final step). 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=7.30-7.35 (m, 1H), 7.06-7.13 (m, 1H), 6.79 (s, 1H), 6.13-6.19 (m, 1H), 5.16 (s, 2H), 4.16-4.26 (m, 1H), 3.48-3.78 (m, 2H), 1.83-1.85 (d, 3H), 1.60-1.60 (m, 6H). LC-MS [M+H]⁺: 429.1.

Example 42 Synthesis of 6-Amino-5-[1-(2,6-dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-pyridazine-3-carboxylic acid pyridin-3-ylamide

The synthesis was similar to that of Example 39 (36 mg, 32% for the final coupling step). 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=9.85 (s, 1H), 8.79-8.80 (d, 1H), 8.36-8.38 (dd, 1H), 8.24-8.28 (m, 1H), 7.40 (s, 1H), 7.30-7.40 (m, 1H), 7.-7-7.13 (q, 1H), 6.23-6.29 (q, 1H), 5.41 (s, 2H), 1.89-1.91 (d, 3H). LC-MS [M+H]⁺: 422.0.

Example 43 Synthesis of 6-Amino-5-[1-(2,6-dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-pyridazine-3-carboxylic acid pyrimidin-5-ylamide

The synthesis was similar to that of Example 39. 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ=9.86 (s, 1H), 9.16 (s, 2H), 8.99 (s, 1H), 7.34-7.39 (m, 2H), 7.08-7.14 (q, 1H), 6.22-6.27 (q, 1H), 5.47 (s, 2H), 1.89-1.92 (d, 1H). LC-MS [M+H]⁺: 423.0.

Met Biochemical Assay

The test compounds are assayed for biochemical activity essentially according to the following procedure. In a final reaction volume of 25 μl, Met (h) (5-10 mU) is incubated with 8 mM MOPS pH 7.0, 0.2 mM EDTA, 250 μM KKKSPGEYVNIEFG, 10 mM MgAcetate and [(γ-³³P-ATP] (specific activity approx. 500 cpm/pmol, concentration as required). The reaction is initiated by the addition of the MgATP mix. After incubation for 40 minutes at room temperature, the reaction is stopped by the addition of 5 μl of a 3% phosphoric acid solution. 10 μl of the reaction is then spotted onto a P30 filtermat and washed three times for 5 minutes in 75 mM phosphoric acid and once in methanol prior to drying and scintillation counting.

Ron Biochemical Assay

The compounds are assayed for biochemical activity essentially according to the following procedure. In a final reaction volume of 25 μl, Ron (h) (5-10 mU) is incubated with 8 mM MOPS pH 7.0, 0.2 mM EDTA, 250 μM KKSRGDYMTMQIG, 10 mM MgAcetate and [(γ-³³P-ATP] (specific activity approx. 500 cpm/pmol, concentration as required). The reaction is initiated by the addition of the MgATP mix. After incubation for 40 minutes at room temperature, the reaction is stopped by the addition of 5 μl of a 3% phosphoric acid solution. 10 μl of the reaction is then spotted onto a P30 filtermat and washed three times for 5 minutes in 75 mM phosphoric acid and once in methanol prior to drying and scintillation counting.

c-Met Receptor Phosphorylation Assay

A549 cells are used in this assay. Cells are seeded at a density of 40,000 cells/well in the growth media (RPMI+10% FBS) into 24-well plates and cultured overnight at 37° C. for attachment. Cells are exposed to the starvation media (RPMI+1% BSA). Dilutions of the test compounds are added to the plates and incubated at 37° C. for 1 hour. Cells are then cool down to room temperature for 15 min followed by stimulation with 40 ng/ml HGF for 15 minutes. Cells are washed once with ice-cold PBS and then lysed with 110 ul/well lysis buffer (Cell Signaling #9803+0.2% protease inhibitor, Sigma P1860) for 1 hour at 4° C. Cell lysates are transferred to microcentrifuge tubes and are spun at 10000 rpm for 10 min at 4° C. and phosphorylated HGFR is quantitated by Human Phospho-HGF R/c-Met ELISA kit (R&D, DYC2480) according to the manufacture's instructions. 

What is claimed:
 1. A compound of formula II:

or a salt thereof; wherein: R₁ is arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl, each optionally substituted with 1-4 independent Z¹; R₂ is C₆-C₁₄ aryl, 5-12 membered heteroaryl, 3-15 membered heterocyclyl or amide, each optionally substituted with 1-4 independent Z²; R₃ is hydrogen, hydroxyl, alkoxy, or alkylamino; R₅ is NH₂; Each Z¹ and Z² is independently halogen, CN, NO₂, OR¹⁵, SR¹⁵, S(O)₂OR¹⁵, NR¹⁵R¹⁶, C₁-C₂ perfluoroalkyl, C₁-C₂ perfluoroalkoxy, 1,2-methylenedioxy, C(O)OR¹⁵, C(O)NR¹⁵R¹⁶, OC(O)NR¹⁵R¹⁶, NR¹⁵C(O)NR¹⁵R¹⁶, C(NR¹⁶)NR¹⁵R¹⁶, NR¹⁵C(NR¹⁶)NR¹⁵R¹⁶, S(O)₂NR¹⁵R¹⁶, R¹⁷, C(O)R¹⁷, NR¹⁵C(O)R¹⁷, S(O)R¹⁷, S(O)₂R¹⁷, R¹⁶, oxo, C(O)R¹⁶, C(O)(CH₂)nOH, (CH₂)nOR¹⁵, (CH₂)nC(O)NR¹⁵R¹⁶, NR¹⁵S(O)₂R¹⁷, where n is independently 0-6 inclusive; Each R¹⁵ is independently hydrogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl or C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl; Each R¹⁶ is independently hydrogen, C₂-C₁₀ alkenyl, C₂-C₁₀ alkynyl, C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, C₆-C₁₄ aryl, 3-15 membered heterocyclyl, 5-12 membered heteroaryl, C₁-C₄ alkyl or C₁-C₄ alkyl substituted with C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, C₆-C₁₄ aryl, 3-15 membered heterocyclyl or 5-12 membered heteroaryl; and Each R¹⁷ is independently C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, C₆-C₁₄ aryl, 3-15 membered heterocyclyl, 5-12 membered heteroaryl, C₁-C₄ alkyl or C₁-C₄ alkyl substituted with C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, C₆-C₁₄ aryl, 3-15 membered heterocyclyl or 5-12 membered heteroaryl.
 2. The compound of claim 1, wherein the compound is of Formula (IIa):


3. The compound of claim 1, wherein the compound is of

Wherein R₆ and R₇ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₆-C₁₄ aryl, 5-12 membered heteroaryl, 3-15 membered heterocyclyl, and R₆ and R₇ together with the nitrogen they are attached to form an optionally substituted 3-15 membered heterocycle with 0-3 additional heteroatoms.
 4. The compound of claim 1, wherein R₃ is H.
 5. The compound of claim 1, wherein R₂ is 3-15 membered heterocycle optionally substituted with 1-4 independent Z².
 6. The compound of claim 1, wherein the compound is one (4-{6-Amino-5-[1-(2,6-dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-pyridazin-3-yl}-phenyl)-morpholin-4-yl-methanone; (4-{6-Amino-5-[1-(2,6-dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-pyridazin-3-yl}-phenyl)-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-methanone; (4-{6-Amino-5-[1-(2,6-dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-pyridazin-3-yl}-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl-methanone; 4-{6-Amino-5-[1-(2,6-dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-pyridazin-3-yl}-N-(2-diethylamino-ethyl)-benzamide; 4-{6-Amino-5-[1-(2,6-dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-pyridazin-3-yl}-N,N-dimethyl-benzamide; (4-{6-Amino-5-[1-(2,6-dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-pyridazin-3-yl}-phenyl)-(4-morpholin-4-yl-piperidin-1-yl)-methanone; 4-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)ethoxy]-6-pyrimidin-5-yl-pyridazin-3-ylamine; 4-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-[1-(tetrahydro-pyran-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl]-pyridazin-3-ylamine; 4-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-(1-piperidin-4-yl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-pyridazin-3-ylamine; 4-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-(6-morpholin-4-yl-pyridin-3-yl)-pyridazin-3-ylamine; 4-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-[6-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-pyridin-3-yl]-pyridazin-3-ylamine; 4-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-6-[4-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl]-pyridazin-3-ylamine; 6-Amino-5-[1-(2,6-dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-pyridazine-3-carboxylic acid pyridin-4-ylamide; 6-Amino-5-[1-(2,6-dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-pyridazine-3-carboxylic acid methylamide; 6-Amino-5-[1-(2,6-dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-pyridazine-3-carboxylic acid (tetrahydro-pyran-4-yl)-amide; 6-Amino-5-[1-(2,6-dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-pyridazine-3-carboxylic acid pyridin-3-ylamide; 6-Amino-5-[1-(2,6-dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-pyridazine-3-carboxylic acid pyrimidin-5-ylamide. 